The History of the Facel Vega Facel II Grand Tourer
The fascinating history of this classic motor was revealed at Concours of Elegance in 2020, where this picture was taken. Sporting the larger of the two engines with which the Facel Vega Facel II grand tourer was fitted – Chrysler’s 6765cc V8 – this example was one of three to be displayed at the Earls Court Motor Show in October 1962. It was under the care of agent HW Motors, and was one of only two cars in this spec to come to the UK; the other was bought by Ringo Starr.
It was originally Torch Red, with black trim, wire wheels and no power steering. It was sold via Sanderson & Holmes in Derby to Sir Arthur Frederick Pullman Wheeler, the second Baronet of Woodman Eaves, and first registered on May 1, 1963. The owner, also known as Sir Derick, soon replaced the ‘garish’ red with a more subtle Dark Metallic Grey. Tragically, he took his own life not long after, and in December 1964 the car passed to his nephew John Frederick Wheeler.
The next owner was Philip White of London, who took the Facel off the road at 27,000 miles after he had issues replacing the ‘inadequate’ Marchal headlights. From 1967 until 1997 the Facel sat in a garage. Actually, it’s more accurate to say the garage ended up sitting in the car, after it collapsed…
Upon then purchasing the car, a Mr Miller set about an extensive restoration with Lance McCormack at Romance of Rust. The Facel emerged sporting Rolls-Royce Peacock Blue paint, and was ‘detuned’ by removing the two four-barrel carbs and replacing them with a four-barrel Holley. Invoices on file show 400 hours of bodywork including new side beams, a rewire and respray, new brakes and fuel tank, rebuilt axle and engine, new wire wheels and exhaust, and an interior retrim.
In around 2003 the car passed to Barry Burnett, who covered 800 miles before SORN-ing it in 2008, probably due to ill health. He passed away in the late 2000s, and the car passed to his daughter, who never used or MoT’ed it, although she did keep on top of the servicing.
The current owner returned the Facel to Lance, who remembered with pride working on it the first time around. The original carbs and manifold were tracked down to the Bristol garage that had previously serviced the car, and have now been refitted, while missing trim and parts have been replaced and a new fan cowl made. Among further work, the car has been fully detailed and serviced, partially resprayed and a ceramic paint-protection coat applied. EZ power steering and ‘sympathetic’ seatbelts have also been fitted.
With support along the way from Bugatti and Facel specialist John Barton, this rust-free car is now pretty much perfect. One of only two RHD Facel IIs with the uprated engine and still just 28,000 miles on the clock; it’s one rare machine.
ENGINE
6.7-litre, V8, overhead valve, 390bhp, four-barrel carburettor
CONFIGURATION
Front engine, four-speed manual transmission, rear-wheel drive, separate chassis, coil-spring front suspension, semi-elliptic spring and De Dion rear, disc brakes all round
