Description

Facel Vega

by Martin Buckley

Facel Vega was the conception of Jean Daninos, a playboy French industrialist who wanted to create an international marque with the urge and the luxury to appeal to connoisseurs of all nationalities.

Only 3000 of his cars were produced between 1954 and 1964 yet it is a marque that attracted more interest and generated more excitement – and become the subject of more myth – than many more sober makes with histories ten times as long. Few first time makers have ever established their identity with such a swift, sure touch as this Franco-American Grand Routier, and classic Chrysler V8-engined models like the HK500 and Facel II still count among the mid 20th century’s most potently glamorous automotive status symbols.

Facel Vega Grand Luxe Sportif includes over 350 photographs on 300 pages and measures 290 x 240 mm.  It is the first book to look in depth at the people, the politics and the products of this most glamorous of French makes, interwoven with a detailed account of the career of Jean Daninos from his early days working for Citröen, his contracts with Simca, his imposing coachbuilt Facel-Bentley cars and an analysis of the fatal stumble of the Facellia.

REVIEWS

“It’s a real pleasure to report that the Facel book is quite outstanding. A work that’s deeply informative but also a joy to read and to handle. Just what you should expect from a Palawan book. Yes the book costs a lot of money – but we’re inclined to think it’s worth it.”MARK DIXON, OCTANE

“A superb new book by Palawan Press.”STEPHEN BAYLEY, THE OBSERVER

“This beautifully produced limited edition is sure to be the definitive account. As with earlier Palawan books on Bristols and the Bentley R-Type Continental, if you own one of the cars you must want the book; and if you can’t own one of the cars the book is the nearest you’ll get to it. Well-written and engrossing, it is the kind of book you can’t just dip into to look up something without reading on, and on.”ALAN JUDD, THE SPECTATOR

“The latest superbly crafted book from Palawan… as with all Palawan books, the Facel story is about the cars and more. It’s all there, printed on high quality paper, beautifully bound with wonderful photographs both of existing cars and in-period … There is no finer testament to a car book than that the reader finishes it and wants to include the subject in their fantasy garage.”STEVE WAKEFIELD, CLASSIC DRIVER MAGAZINE

“We’ve been waiting for this book on the exotic GTs of Jean Daninos by C&SC’s star writer for years. The result, stylishly designed by fellow contributor Julian Balme, doesn’t disappoint. Thanks for picture editor Sandra Assersohn, the illustrations match the vivid prose. We’d love to buy this masterwork, but can’t afford it. Like the cars, it will sadly remain exclusive.”CLASSIC & SPORTSCAR


Editions