Highlights

One of just 22 right-hand drive examples and 679 convertibles made in total
Partial restoration completed between 2018 and 2023
Offered in reliable running and driving order, ready to drive
New leather upholstery and complete interior refurbishment
Recent full re-commissioning by marque specialist Vega Passion in France
Well-documented history from new
Comprehensive paperwork file with numerous invoices

The Appeal

The Facellia was French boutique carmaker Facel Vega's entrée to the sports car market. Aimed squarely at rivalling the Mercedes-Benz 190SL, Porsche 356 and Alfa Romeo Giulietta, the new Facellia had more compact proportions than its predecessors and so Facel moved away from its usual Chrysler V8s in favour of a 1.6-litre twin-cam inline four developed by Talbot Lago's former chief engineer, Carlo Machetti. This also proved favourable in France where the antiquated horsepower tax system made big-engined cars exceedingly expensive to own.

Despite Facel Vega's hopes that the Facellia would become a mass-market sports car, mechanical woes and the subsequent warranty issues resulted in each Facellia built losing the company money. A switch to Volvo engines mid-production was too late to save it, and so production lasted a mere three years. Today, these exquisite French sports cars are vanishingly rare, especially early examples with the Machetti engine.

The vendor recounts the following regarding this fine Facellia Cabriolet:

"After years of searching, I acquired this car in the UK from a professional. This Facellia convertible is the second Facellia registered in the UK, identical to 'SPD1' which was the car of the importer HWM. Its first owner resided in Scotland and registered the car '2CGG' which will be its registration until 2015. This car has belonged to several specialists of the brand, and its complete history is known."

The vendor acquired the car in 2018, running and complete. Partial restoration was undertaken between 2018 and 2023, including new leather upholstery, electrics and dashboard, heating/ventilation, and a comprehensive mechanical refresh. The vendor had intended to modernise the drivetrain, but alas, they never found the time to realise their ambitions. Offered in superb condition following the aforementioned restoration work and reportedly driving very well indeed, this Facellia Cabriolet is ready for a new owner to use and enjoy.

History and Paperwork

Early example from the first year of production
Right-hand drive UK market car - one of just 22 ever made in RHD
The vendor tells us that a complete history accompanies the car, including owners in Scotland, UK, and France
Acquired in the UK in 2018, with a known history of ownership by brand specialists
Partial restoration undertaken between 2018 and 2023
Retains UK registration; exempt from road tax and MOT testing in GB
Contrôle Technique valid until September 2025
Serial numbers reported to match

The Condition

Completely repainted in 2012, with no corrosion reported
Bodywork presents in very good order with just one minor dent on the offside front wing
Entire interior is new, including leather, foam, carpet, dashboard, instruments, and convertible top
Cabriolet roof in smart condition and operating as designed

The Facellia is easily as beautiful as its aforementioned rivals from Germany, Italy and Great Britain. The Cabriolet is especially elegant, with soft flowing lines, altogether far less imposing than Facel's full-size GTs like the HK500.

As the photographs attest, this is a stunning example of the marque, resplendent in a fantastic colour combination. The all-new interior looks particularly fine and has evidently been retrimmed to a high standard. The bodywork looks to be in lovely condition, as do the paint and chrome finishes. The replacement folding roof looks in superb order and reportedly operates well.

The Mechanicals

1.6-litre (1,641cc) four-cylinder twin-cam
Four-speed manual transmission
Recent full re-commissioning including engine service, twin Webers rebuilt, and electronic ignition
New stainless steel exhaust system with twin exit
Full brake set replaced and serviced: master cylinder, discs and pads
New suspension and shock absorbers
New steering wheel and steering box
New tyres
All dashboard, instruments, and electrics redone and fully functional

While the vendor had intended to upgrade the mechanicals, they never found the time to complete this, so the Facellia retains its rare original (matching numbers) Carlo Machetti-designed twin-cam. All presents very well under the bonnet, and we're assured that Facellia runs and drives beautifully, proving reliable and ready to enjoy.

BEFORE YOU BUY

This sale is subject to Car & Classic's terms and conditions. By bidding and/or making a bid, you also agree to the following:

✓ The seller is registered as a private seller, which means that consumer rights arising from European consumer protection legislation do not apply. However, you are still covered by Car & Classic's terms and conditions.

✓ We ask that a non-refundable fee is paid if you are the lucky winner of the auction or if your bid is accepted. Please refer to our FAQs and terms and conditions for specific fees.

✓ This vehicle is "sold as is", on an "as is, where is" basis and without warranty. Photos and descriptions are for illustrative purposes only and it is customary to carry out a full vehicle inspection prior to purchase for your own peace of mind.

✓ VAT is included in the buyer's deposit. VAT may or may not be included in the final offer or tender price, as specified in the advert.

✓ We want the transaction to go as smoothly as you do, which is why UK-registered cars and motorbikes offered for sale on Car & Classic are HPI-checked to ensure they have no insurance database markers for damage or theft, and are not financially pledged, allowing you to bid with confidence.

✓ We also check whether vehicles are registered as written off as part of a total loss at the time the advert is placed on Car & Classic and provide write-off category labels (Cat C/D/S/N) to help you. However, the presence or absence of a label does not guarantee the status of the vehicle and it is always worth carrying out a full vehicle history check before making an offer on it.

✓ Buyers are responsible for the collection or delivery of the vehicle. Importing vehicles may incur additional customs duties and import taxes. If you wish, we can recommend a third party transport company who can assist you. For more details and to speak to the team, email [email protected].