Facel Vega FVS
Facel Vega FV1
The Facel Vega FV was a luxury automobile, the French carmaker Facel SA built in the years 1955 to 1958.
Development
The history of the FV began several years before the foundation of the later manufacturer. By the end of 1951, Jean Daninos, the later founder of Facel, a first prototype. This was immediately built, and tested in the first months of the following year on the road. Gradually, the prototype was further improved mechanically and the equipment became more and more luxurious.
For the first time the car was introduced to the public on 29 July 1954 but the official presentation was only in October of the same year.
As of February 1955, the sale of the new vehicle is started.
Models
FV
The FV was a luxurious, two-door notchback coupe with two full-size seats in front and two auxiliary seats in the rear. It was very sophisticated, powerful and fast. Its elegant, dynamic styling and its low center of gravity clad its imposing dimensions.
His front bumper seemed almost to touch the asphalt, while the rear end a batch of fins showed, were integrated into the small taillights.
The engine of the FV was a Chrysler V8 engine, as well as in the other models by Facel Vega with the exception of Facellia and his successors. Specifically, this engine powered some models from DeSoto, a U.S. subsidiary brand of Chrysler. The engine had a displacement of 4528 cc and developed an output of 180 hp ( 132 kW) at 4400 rpm. Between the motor and the four- speed manual gearbox, the zulieferte Société Pont-à- Mousson, a single-plate dry clutch Borg & Beck was installed. However, the hydraulic braking system with its aluminum drum brakes with 280 mm in diameter on all four wheels was less convincing. The parking brake worked over cables to the rear wheels. The role of Gemmer steering came France, the turning radius was 10.4 m.
The front wheels were individually suspended on double wishbones with coil springs, stabilizer bar and hydraulic telescopic shock absorbers. The rigid rear axle of Salisbury was also equipped with hydraulic telescopic shock absorbers and coil springs. Depending on the rear axle of the FV maximum speeds reached 172-194 km / h The petrol consumption was 16-19 l / 100 km. A fuel tank with 100 liters ensured a sufficient range.
The FV was built for only two months. During this period 13 specimens, all with coupé body.
FV1
In April 1955, the FV1, the first variant of FV, done. His most important innovation was found under the hood, where now an engine with 4770 cc capacity worked, which developed 200 hp (147 kW). The top speed of the car increased to 198 km / h In addition to the manual transmission from a French production, it was given during the automatic Chrysler PowerFlyte. The FV1 was the end of November 1955 made in 32 copies, of which 25 are coupes and convertibles 7.
FV2
In November 1955, the FV2, another variant of the FV was presented. Higher compression and a larger carburetor, the engine output increased to 250 hp ( 184 kW) at 4400 rpm. The top speed of the car was at 202 km / h
The FV2 was sold 30 times, almost always as a coupe. Only a convertible was produced; it was created for Jean Daninos ' wife Andrée. It was presented in October 1955 at the Paris Motor Show, in March 1956, the initial registration. In the same year, the convertible appeared in the feature film The large and the small world ( The Ambassadors Daughter). There was driven by Olivia de Havilland. After several changes of ownership, it was in early 2013 in the UK for sale.
FV2B
On the FV2 followed the FV2B, nor a variant of FV. He had a new engine with 5413 cc and a maximum power of 285 hp (210 kW). However, the speed dropped back slightly to 198 km / h, a value which also reached the FV1. The brake system received a servo assistance. This variant was short, offered for sale in November 1956. It created 73 copies.
FV3
From November 1956 to July 1957 the FV3 was offered, the mechanics of the FV1 corresponded and thus developed 200 hp (147 kW). The performance of the car corresponded to those of equally strong FV1.
FV3B
In March 1957, when even the FV3 was up for sale, the FV3B came out of a 4940 cc engine with 253 PS (186 kW) at 4600 rpm was driven. The top speed was 203 km / h
It was the best-selling variant of the FV, originated from the 91 specimens, only coupes. The production ended in July 1958.
FV4
Simultaneously with the FV3B also came out of FV4 as the last variant of the FV. It was available with two engine options: either a 5798 cc big engine developing 300 hp ( 221 kW), or a ³ 6430 cm displacement and 325 hp ( 239 kW).
In both cases, the car reached a top speed of 229 km / h
The FV4 but was taken out of production in February 1958. 68 copies were created by then, also exclusively coupe.
Successor
Thus, the FV3 was practically the last FV -made. Successor was the HK 500