Facel Vega HK500 (RHD)
This car has been the subject of a 6-year restoration in Poland. It has been transformed from a lurid two-tone green curiosity into a fabulously restored pristine example with all the rust removed and new metal fabricated by top craftsmen.
The car has been restored in Poland where you can still find craftsmen.
In early 2024, the car will be with the upholsters for a complete new interior in English hide.
The car has been restored in Poland where you can still find craftsmen.
In early 2024, the car will be with the upholsters for a complete new interior in English hide.
The photo above is the car when it was purchased and the videos and photos immediately below are from 2025.
1959
VIN 0414
In the world history of the automobile, cars originating from France hold a special place for having abundant style and mechanical sophistication. In the 1930s and 1940s, French car makers and carrosserie where producing some of the most opulent and flamboyant machines of all time. By the 1950s it was all about Citroen and their magnificently sophisticated, space-age DS. At the same time, a small French auto maker was building their own high end luxury cars with a unique style and a thumping heart of American V8 muscle. Forges et Ateliers de Construction d’Eure et de Loire,known simply by its contraction “Facel”, was originally formed in 1938 by Jean Daninos as a supplier of machine tools for the aircraft industry. During World War II, they diversified into gas generators as military machinery could not be built under the German occupation. After the war, they returned to the aircraft industry but also added stainless steel kitchen equipment and soon car bodies, namely for Panhard, Simca and Ford France. In a short time, Facel had amassed a very diverse portfolio! Daninos was quite a petrol head, and he had a strong desire to build a distinctly French luxury car of his own design. His first car, known simply as the Vega, was a handsome affair built around a DeSoto drivetrain and Torqueflite automatic transmission. Given the fact that Delage, Delahaye and Talbo-Lago were gone, there was a void in the top of the French luxury car market. The Vega sold enough examples to be updated and improved through a further two generations. The ultimate evolution, the Facel-Vega HK500, used Chrysler supplied 360 (5.9L) and 383 (6.3L) engines with either a Torqueflite automatic transmission or the very rare optional Pont-a-Mousson four-speed manual. All told, approximately 800 total examples of the Vega FV, FVS and HK500 were built before Daninos changed tack to build smaller sporting cars, a decision that would lead to their bankruptcy in 1965.
According to the Facel Vega Car Club, just 164 Facel cars were ever sold in the UK. It is not clear how many were HK500s, but it is certainly a very small number, perhaps in the single digits. So when a right-hand-drive HK500 reappears after having been believed lost, it is certain to make waves among marque enthusiasts. This particular example, chassis number HK G8, is just such a car. Registrars of the Facel club have long believed this car was scrapped by its prior owner, who was last heard from in 1979. Its history is still being researched; however it is known that it first left the Facel Works in November of 1958, built to an order by the official UK Facel agency H.W.M.
HK G8 (body number 0414) is of extremely unusual specification. It was equipped with the aforementioned right-hand drive, a 383 cubic inch (6.3l) Chrysler V8 with dual –quad carburetors, disc brakes and the very rare Pont-a-Mousson 4-speed manual gearbox. Given the low number of RHD HK500s, it is possible this is a one-of-a-kind.
HK production nos run from 353 to 842, hence this one ( 414 ) is an early example.
It was purchased stateside from Hyman Ltd who have a knack of finding these models. I bought it with it's light green with a dark green top and green-blue interior, it was complete but in need of total restoration. It had never been apart, and was remarkably complete. Every piece of chrome trim and all body fittings were accounted for, a very important consideration for such a rare machine where replacements can be scarce. The odometer showed 59,680 miles, which was believed to be genuine given its condition and the length of time it had been off the radar. There were no immediate signs of significant corrosion, crash damage or repairs, but as the photos show extensive fabrication was required.
I decided before I shipped the car from the States to install a completely rebuilt Mopar engine with a modern manual transmission. I opted for a 383. I do have the original transmission and engine block in storage.
I also upgraded the brakes for a Fosseway conversion, and an electric power steering conversion. Both of these help transform the road manners and usability of this wonderful beast that does need to be tamed with some modern adaptions.
No expense was spared restoring HK G8 back to its former Gallic glory.
This is an iconic and powerful Grand Tourer that does everything that Italian exotics do but at a fraction of the price - I know, I've owned both. Things don't fall off, you won't need a trickle charger, a cambelt change every three days, or a bloke with a B.Sc. to change the plugs, but you do get that awesome V8 burble and a wonderful driving experience with the upgraded brakes and power steering.
VIN 0414
In the world history of the automobile, cars originating from France hold a special place for having abundant style and mechanical sophistication. In the 1930s and 1940s, French car makers and carrosserie where producing some of the most opulent and flamboyant machines of all time. By the 1950s it was all about Citroen and their magnificently sophisticated, space-age DS. At the same time, a small French auto maker was building their own high end luxury cars with a unique style and a thumping heart of American V8 muscle. Forges et Ateliers de Construction d’Eure et de Loire,known simply by its contraction “Facel”, was originally formed in 1938 by Jean Daninos as a supplier of machine tools for the aircraft industry. During World War II, they diversified into gas generators as military machinery could not be built under the German occupation. After the war, they returned to the aircraft industry but also added stainless steel kitchen equipment and soon car bodies, namely for Panhard, Simca and Ford France. In a short time, Facel had amassed a very diverse portfolio! Daninos was quite a petrol head, and he had a strong desire to build a distinctly French luxury car of his own design. His first car, known simply as the Vega, was a handsome affair built around a DeSoto drivetrain and Torqueflite automatic transmission. Given the fact that Delage, Delahaye and Talbo-Lago were gone, there was a void in the top of the French luxury car market. The Vega sold enough examples to be updated and improved through a further two generations. The ultimate evolution, the Facel-Vega HK500, used Chrysler supplied 360 (5.9L) and 383 (6.3L) engines with either a Torqueflite automatic transmission or the very rare optional Pont-a-Mousson four-speed manual. All told, approximately 800 total examples of the Vega FV, FVS and HK500 were built before Daninos changed tack to build smaller sporting cars, a decision that would lead to their bankruptcy in 1965.
According to the Facel Vega Car Club, just 164 Facel cars were ever sold in the UK. It is not clear how many were HK500s, but it is certainly a very small number, perhaps in the single digits. So when a right-hand-drive HK500 reappears after having been believed lost, it is certain to make waves among marque enthusiasts. This particular example, chassis number HK G8, is just such a car. Registrars of the Facel club have long believed this car was scrapped by its prior owner, who was last heard from in 1979. Its history is still being researched; however it is known that it first left the Facel Works in November of 1958, built to an order by the official UK Facel agency H.W.M.
HK G8 (body number 0414) is of extremely unusual specification. It was equipped with the aforementioned right-hand drive, a 383 cubic inch (6.3l) Chrysler V8 with dual –quad carburetors, disc brakes and the very rare Pont-a-Mousson 4-speed manual gearbox. Given the low number of RHD HK500s, it is possible this is a one-of-a-kind.
HK production nos run from 353 to 842, hence this one ( 414 ) is an early example.
It was purchased stateside from Hyman Ltd who have a knack of finding these models. I bought it with it's light green with a dark green top and green-blue interior, it was complete but in need of total restoration. It had never been apart, and was remarkably complete. Every piece of chrome trim and all body fittings were accounted for, a very important consideration for such a rare machine where replacements can be scarce. The odometer showed 59,680 miles, which was believed to be genuine given its condition and the length of time it had been off the radar. There were no immediate signs of significant corrosion, crash damage or repairs, but as the photos show extensive fabrication was required.
I decided before I shipped the car from the States to install a completely rebuilt Mopar engine with a modern manual transmission. I opted for a 383. I do have the original transmission and engine block in storage.
I also upgraded the brakes for a Fosseway conversion, and an electric power steering conversion. Both of these help transform the road manners and usability of this wonderful beast that does need to be tamed with some modern adaptions.
No expense was spared restoring HK G8 back to its former Gallic glory.
This is an iconic and powerful Grand Tourer that does everything that Italian exotics do but at a fraction of the price - I know, I've owned both. Things don't fall off, you won't need a trickle charger, a cambelt change every three days, or a bloke with a B.Sc. to change the plugs, but you do get that awesome V8 burble and a wonderful driving experience with the upgraded brakes and power steering.
Example Vehicles for Restoration Guide
Restoration Photos
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Phase Two click here
Phase Three click here
Phase Four click here
Phase Five click here
Phase Six click here
Phase Seven click here
Phase Eight click here
Phase Nine click here
Electric Power Steering
Starting
Interior
