𝟙𝟡𝟞𝟜 | 𝑭𝒂𝒄𝒆𝒍 𝑽𝒆𝒈𝒂 𝑭𝒂𝒄𝒆𝒍 𝑰𝑰𝑰

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The Facel Vega Facel III was a stylish and luxurious French grand tourer produced between 1963 and 1964 by Facel S.A., a company known for building high-end cars favored by celebrities and aristocrats. The Facel III was a compact, more affordable version of the company’s prestigious Facel Vega models, aimed at a broader market.


Origins & Development

Facel S.A. had built a reputation for crafting high-performance luxury cars like the Facel Vega HK500 and the Facel II, which featured large American V8 engines. However, these cars were expensive, and the company sought to expand its customer base by offering a smaller, more accessible model.


The Facel III was developed as a successor to the Facel Vega Facellia, which had suffered reliability issues due to its troublesome Pont-à-Mousson-built twin-cam engine. To remedy this, Facel replaced it with a proven Volvo B18 1.8L four-cylinder engine, borrowed from the Volvo P1800. This engine was available in two configurations:

  1. Single carburetor version with 108 hp (80 kW)
  2. Twin-carburetor version with 126 hp (94 kW)

These changes made the Facel III far more reliable and drivable than its predecessor. It was also fitted with a 4-speed manual transmission (with optional overdrive) and front disc brakes, ensuring good performance for a small grand tourer.

Design & Features


Designed by Jean Daninos, the Facel III retained the elegant styling of the larger Facel Vega models, with a sleek coupe body, a distinctive vertical chrome grille, and luxurious interiors featuring handcrafted wood dashboards and leather upholstery. The car was built with high attention to detail, offering a level of refinement uncommon in small sports cars of its time.

Production & Decline

Facel built around 625 units of the Facel III between 1963 and 1964. However, despite its improved reliability and stylish appeal, Facel S.A. was struggling financially. The company ultimately ceased operations in 1964, marking the end of the Facel III and the Facel Vega brand as a whole.

Legacy

Today, the Facel Vega Facel III is a rare and sought-after collector’s car, admired for its blend of French elegance, Swedish reliability, and sporty driving dynamics. Though it was Facel’s last attempt at producing a successful car, it remains a symbol of the company’s ambition to compete with the best European grand tourers of its era.


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