Photo By Bonhams
The classic 1964 Facel Vega Facel II previously owned by Ringo Starr, the drummer for the Beatles, is being auctioned at Bonhams in London on December 1, 2013. The classic car is expected to sell for $565,000. Ringo purchased the car directly from the stand at Earls Court Motor Show in 1964 for $9,000.
Facel Vega Facel II – The car for the rich and the famous
Jean Daninos, the French carmaker, started Facel in 1954. The French firm sold cars ‘For the Few Who Own the Finest’. According to Daninos, the Facel Vega Facel II was the firm’s greatest car. It was built between 1961 and 1964, and was advertised as ‘the fastest four-seater coupe in the world’.
The Facel Vega Facel II was stylish, luxurious and fast. Hand built, and thus expensive, these cars were priced in Rolls Royce territory. Only 182 units of the Facel II were produced. The list of famous owners includes Pablo Picasso, Ava Gardner, Tony Curtis, Joan Fontaine, Frank Sinatra and Danny Kaye.
What makes the Facel Vega Facel II so special?
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Of the 182 Facel II units manufactured, only 26 were right-hand drive models.
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Most of the Facel IIs use the powerful 6.3 L Chrysler Typhoon V8 engine..
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The Typhoon turns out 355 hp with an automatic gearbox, and 390 hp with a manual gearbox.
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The chassis has elegant French bodywork done by Jean Daninos.
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The Facel II was a unique blend of American power and European sophistication. It stood a class apart from all the other models of its time.
Ringo Starr’s 1964 Facel Vega Facel II
Ringo Starr, born Richard Starkey in 1940, owned one of the most extraordinary Facel IIs ever produced. Ringo’s car, chassis number HK2 B160, was the very last of only twenty-six right-hand drive Facel IIs ever produced and is one of only two Facel IIs with a 6.7 litre V8 engine and manual gearbox.
After being delivered to Ringo’s home in Weybridge, Surrey, he owned the car for four years. Ringo’s Facel II, which has only 20,000 miles, was recently restored. The car’s current owner has it insured for $800,000.
Sholto Gilbertson, collector car director at Bonhams, commented: “This car has to be one of the rarest and most collectable modern classic cars given its almost unique engineering and its place as part of pop music history.”
Because of vehicle rarity and irreplaceability, classic and luxury car collectors must make sure to have their precious possessions insured. Classic Auto Insurance will help you insure your collector cars at their full market value thereby protecting your investment. Get a free instant classic car insurance quote today.
About the Author
Drew Yagodnik is Vice President of Classic Automobile Insurance Agency, Inc. Classic Automobile Insurance Agency has been protecting collector, classic and exotics since 1992.
