After Facel Vega had found success with large, comfortable, gorgeous and fast Chrysler V-8-powered GT cars, founder Jean Daninos aimed to enter the small sports car market with an all-French design. The resulting small automobile, called the Facelia, was powered by a 1647 cc twin-cam four and, taking a page from the successful Mercedes-Benz 190SL, featured styling that borrowed heavily from its larger, more expensive and already well established and respected stablemate. The square central grille with flanking sub-grilles, vertical lamp clusters and long, straight body lines of the Facelia were effectively taken from the HK500. The Facelia was enthusiastically received by the press, but it soon became apparent that its Pont-a-Mousson-built engine was a serious weak link. Frequent warranty claims and slowing sales eventually forced Facel Vega into receivership.

Facel Vega then came back with the Facel III, which replaced the twin-cam with one from a car that was as rugged and dependable as the Facelia was problematic. Borrowed from Volvo’s P1800, the overhead valve four made for a car that, like the bigger Facel Vegas, admirably combined French style and elegance with a proven and reliable powertrain. This 1964 Facel III is a highly original car that has never needed a restoration and is still striking and rewarding to drive. Finished in white, it has a black vinyl convertible top, beige vinyl top boot, beige interior, correct original rubber floor mats with Facel Vega script, dual mirrors, Marchal headlamp covers and steel wheels with chrome trim rings and Facel Vega center hubcaps. The 24,600 miles on the odometer is original and it runs and drives very smoothly. It has always been well maintained and lightly driven, and is an ideal example for someone who appreciates the rarity of these smaller Facels. . It was purchased from its original American owner in the late 1980s by Hyman Ltd. and then sold to an English Air Force pilot stationed in the United States. He then moved back the England storing the car for many years until acquired by and English dealer who sold it back to Hyman Ltd in 2014

One of only approximately 1,500 Facel IIIs built and from the last year of Facel production, it is a fascinating, charming and honest car that will provide many miles of driving pleasure and command positive attention wherever it goes.

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