Help Facel Vega, Facel 2
Discussion
justin-banks said:
Yes, this is my car, fresh out of restoration, it will not look any better than this after the next few years of my abuse so RM persuaded me to enter it into their October Auction in London, the dealer in me couldn't refuse!
I guess we will see what a Restored RHD Facel II is worth. I do have a few weekends to enjoy it and C&SC are doing a nice article on it next month so it should be around and about.
I have been waiting for it for two years so it was an exciting day when it arrived back! It really looks amazing.
Here is the link to RM's description:
http://www.rmauctions.com/FeatureCars.cfm?SaleCode...
Justin
She certainly looks better than when I owned her.When I bought B155 from George Milligan I had to remove the Delage badges which he had added to the car.The rear indicators were on the back of the rear wing like a facellia.A sensible mod but we had it put back to original.I sold her to Hamish McAlpine.Strangely I ended up buying George Milligans second Facel II as well !I guess we will see what a Restored RHD Facel II is worth. I do have a few weekends to enjoy it and C&SC are doing a nice article on it next month so it should be around and about.
I have been waiting for it for two years so it was an exciting day when it arrived back! It really looks amazing.
Here is the link to RM's description:
http://www.rmauctions.com/FeatureCars.cfm?SaleCode...
Justin
AUCTION RESULTS: Lot was Not Sold at a high bid of £170,000
http://www.rmauctions.com/auctionresults.cfm?SaleC...
http://www.rmauctions.com/auctionresults.cfm?SaleC...
I think d.wilde has a very valid point in suggesting that being RHD (and perhaps selling here in the UK) didn't help Justin get as high a price as expected for his fully restored Facel 11. Seeing the unrestored Artcurial Facel 11 get that price must have been galling.
The advantage of LHD is shared by Gerhard Heins in New Zealand, who fully restored one of his three RHD HK500s, brought it to Bonhams at Goodwood where it failed to sell. Quite rightly, in my opinion, he has opted to convert one of the others to LHD and sell it on the continent where there is not only a loyal French market but an interested German one as well.
I wonder if Justin might consider putting his Facel 11 into a French (or even Mongegasque) auction? He does, of course, know the business better than most of us, being a pro...
Signed, the owner of three RHD Facels!
The advantage of LHD is shared by Gerhard Heins in New Zealand, who fully restored one of his three RHD HK500s, brought it to Bonhams at Goodwood where it failed to sell. Quite rightly, in my opinion, he has opted to convert one of the others to LHD and sell it on the continent where there is not only a loyal French market but an interested German one as well.
I wonder if Justin might consider putting his Facel 11 into a French (or even Mongegasque) auction? He does, of course, know the business better than most of us, being a pro...
Signed, the owner of three RHD Facels!
[quote=Bob CD]I think d.wilde has a very valid point in suggesting that being RHD (and perhaps selling here in the UK) didn't help Justin get as high a price as expected for his fully restored Facel 11. Seeing the unrestored Artcurial Facel 11 get that price must have been galling.
The advantage of LHD is shared by Gerhard Heins in New Zealand, who fully restored one of his three RHD HK500s, brought it to Bonhams at Goodwood where it failed to sell. Quite rightly, in my opinion, he has opted to convert one of the others to LHD and sell it on the continent where there is not only a loyal French market but an interested German one as well.
I wonder if Justin might consider putting his Facel 11 into a French (or even Mongegasque) auction? He does, of course, know the business better than most of us, being a pro...
I am surprised that Justin didn't convert it to left hand drive during the restoration.It is relatively simple obviously as the design started out as LHD anyway.You have to consider the odds.How many people want a RHD facel and how many want a LHD ? The proof is in the auction results.
Signed, the [ex]owner of thirtythree Facels!
The advantage of LHD is shared by Gerhard Heins in New Zealand, who fully restored one of his three RHD HK500s, brought it to Bonhams at Goodwood where it failed to sell. Quite rightly, in my opinion, he has opted to convert one of the others to LHD and sell it on the continent where there is not only a loyal French market but an interested German one as well.
I wonder if Justin might consider putting his Facel 11 into a French (or even Mongegasque) auction? He does, of course, know the business better than most of us, being a pro...
I am surprised that Justin didn't convert it to left hand drive during the restoration.It is relatively simple obviously as the design started out as LHD anyway.You have to consider the odds.How many people want a RHD facel and how many want a LHD ? The proof is in the auction results.
Signed, the [ex]owner of thirtythree Facels!
Justin, I'm sorry the car did not make the reserve but I'm sure that you will not be unhappy living with it for a while! It looks amazing and after the pain and huge expense of a full restoration then drive and enjoy. As to converting to left hand drive? I would be amazed if it ever crossed your mind! Yes Facels are certainly more valuable at present in LHD but any RHD Facel is a rare beast and should stay that way. If you are restoring for a profit then go ahead but if you are restoring to achieve a long held dream then enjoy and try and forget the ££££££'s after all they are only numbers? It's almost a shame these cars are getting so valuable but it's great to see them treated with the same respect as say a DB5? Almost? I'm sure that in the same auction was a Lamborghini 350GT that sold for less than the Facel's best bid. That's also a car on my most wanted list and one that I would have said should be a lot more valuable. What was it like in the flesh anyone?
I restored the car for myself, not for profit, so RHD had to stay, also Stainless Wheels not Chrome, etc. Facelman is right, LHD is obviously where the money is, but I just cannot convert it, it took me 10 years to find a nice RHD car in the first place!
I am not disappointed not to sell at RM as I can sell the car myself quite happily, I guess I was a little disappointed that the UK (RHD) still doesn't value these cars like they do everywhere else but you know this was also the case when new (26 cars sold!)
I will probably put it on sale through my business and see if any interesting PX's spring up and in the meantime, I have the car I always wanted.
I am also now sure a restored Facel II is worth £200k+.
I am not disappointed not to sell at RM as I can sell the car myself quite happily, I guess I was a little disappointed that the UK (RHD) still doesn't value these cars like they do everywhere else but you know this was also the case when new (26 cars sold!)
I will probably put it on sale through my business and see if any interesting PX's spring up and in the meantime, I have the car I always wanted.
I am also now sure a restored Facel II is worth £200k+.
Facelvega said:
I have to say that really does look good.As good as connollys in their prime.Facelvega said:
They really should have their website in english.I mean who speaks polish ? I would be interested to know what they charge for this work.The Polish obviously speak Polish??? I don't know what the bill will be as yet? The price was agreed 5 years ago and they have done a lot of work over and above so we will see? Wish me luck?
This is my favourite bit. The painted dash was done in the UK and the artist even put the bookmatched veneer line down the centre.
This is my favourite bit. The painted dash was done in the UK and the artist even put the bookmatched veneer line down the centre.
Edited by Facelvega on Tuesday 1st November 20:30
Driving up from London tonight minding my own business and I overtook an unremarkable Kia...and did a doubletake.
The registration number was SPY 222...
![](http://thumbsnap.com/sc/d8eTQzpF.jpg[/img]</a> <a href="http://thumbsnap.com/hoxXkexk" Target="_blank">[img]http://thumbsnap.com/t/hoxXkexk.jpg)
As you can see, it has graced rather more interesting cars!
The photo was taken around 1974 and I believe the car is no longer in the UK.
The registration number was SPY 222...
As you can see, it has graced rather more interesting cars!
The photo was taken around 1974 and I believe the car is no longer in the UK.
Facelvega said:
The Polish obviously speak Polish??? I don't know what the bill will be as yet? The price was agreed 5 years ago and they have done a lot of work over and above so we will see? Wish me luck?
This is my favourite bit. The painted dash was done in the UK and the artist even put the bookmatched veneer line down the centre.
Beautiful. I remamber reading an article in the 80s about the Facels, and the writer said they were painted with a feather. Is this true? Its something I have always rememberedThis is my favourite bit. The painted dash was done in the UK and the artist even put the bookmatched veneer line down the centre.
Edited by Facelvega on Tuesday 1st November 20:30
Regarding LHD and RHD and the two sale cars in question, there is an interesting bit in Octane this month, concurring that since the French love them so much they are prepared to pay a fortune for LHD. However, somehow that grates, since a Royale was RHD as were many of the top cars of yesteryear so that the chauffeur could pull up alongside the kerb, get out and open his lordship's door right next to the pavement. So what's wrong, in that case, with RHD?
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