This 1956 Facel Vega FV2B is one of approximately 74 built between April and October 1956 and is said to have been sold new in California, remaining with its previous owner from 1984 until it was acquired by the selling dealer in July 2021. The car is finished in red over black upholstery, and power comes from a 330ci DeSoto Hemi V8 paired with a push-button two-speed PowerFlite automatic transmission. Features include a wraparound windshield, 15″ Zenith chrome wire wheels with three-ear knockoff hubs, a retractable antenna, power windows, an HMV push-button radio, and a painted woodgrain steel dash panel. Service performed by the selling dealer reportedly included rebuilds of the carburetor and the push-button gear selector switch as well as the replacement of the spark plugs, wires, and ignition points. This FV2B is now offered with an owner’s manual, tools, registration records from 1984 to the present, and a clean California title.
Facel was founded in Chaillot, Paris, France, in 1939 as a division of Bronzavia, a French aeronautical company, and provided coachbuilding services for Panhard, Simca, Ford France, and Bentley before launching the Facel Vega brand at the 1954 Paris Auto Salon. The FV2B followed the FV1 and the FV2 of 1955 and early 1956, respectively. The steel bodywork on is example is said to have been delivered from the factory in silver with a black roof and was repainted in its current red under previous ownership. Features include polished bumpers and rocker trim, dual exhaust outlets set in the rear bumpers, dual antennas, a wraparound windshield, and single headlights in vertical chrome surrounds. Paint cracks on the left fender and quarter panel can be seen in the gallery below.
The 15″ Zenith chrome wire wheels feature three-ear knock-off hubs and are mounted with 195/65 Firestone Affinity tires. The FV2B features a double-wishbone front suspension with coil springs along with semi-elliptical rear leaf springs with a live rear axle. Stopping power is provided by four-wheel hydraulic drum brakes that were bled by the selling dealer in 2021.
The cabin is said to have been reupholstered under previous ownership and features front bucket seats and a rear bench trimmed in black along with a matching dash pad, door panels, and carpets. Features include an HMV push-button radio, power windows, a painted woodgrain steel dash panel, and a black quilted headliner.
The two-spoke steering wheel wears a wrap and fronts a Facel-branded Jaeger 5,500-rpm tachometer and a 220-km/h speedometer, while a clock and gauges for water temperature, amperage, oil pressure, and fuel level are fitted in the center of the dash. A rebuild of the dash-mounted push-button gear selector switch was reportedly performed by the selling dealer in 2021. The five-digit odometer shows 98k miles. Total mileage is unknown.
The 330ci DeSoto Hemi V8 features a Carter four-barrel carburetor and was factory rated at 285 horsepower. Service performed by the selling dealer reportedly included the installation of new spark plugs, wires, and ignition points as well as fresh fluids and a rebuild of the carburetor.
Power is sent to the rear wheels via a two-speed PowerFlite automatic transmission that was reportedly serviced and fitted with a new filter in 2021. The car is currently titled using its engine number rather than its chassis number, FV2B56081.
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