Internet Find of the Day: 1961 Facel-Vega HK500 Coupe

This spectacular display of chrome and deep blue paint is one of only 489 models built and is the only one specially ordered with a sunroof. The 40-year old two-door coupe was restored to showroom condition and only has 31,452 original and completely documented miles on the clock (around 50,000 km).

Finished in classic Dark Blue with beautiful Blue Connelly leather interior, it is one of the best documented HK500s on the market today. This one-of-a-kind motorcar was built for Facel-Vega founder Jean Daninos’ personal friend and famed auto collector Wilbur Rice. To prove this, the owner provides hundreds of pages of documentation, discussing the build of this one-of-a-kind Facel Vega.

The Facel company was the brainchild of Jean Daninos, who unveiled his first Facel, the aptly named Vega, at the Paris Salon in 1954. Over the next 10 years, the range progressed through the FV to the HK500 and Facel II models, all fitted with the most powerful Chrysler V8 engines available at the time.

A full engine rebuild was made by a team directed by Facel Vega Restoration of San Bernardino, CA. The Carter AFB carburetors were rebuilt and tuned to factory specifications by Pony Carburetors Inc. of Las Cruces, New Mexico, and the cooling system was thoroughly rebuilt with a re-cored original radiator and new water pump. The brake system was reconditioned with new pads, stainless-sleeved calipers, new rubber flex lines and a new dual circuit master cylinder and electric booster.

The seller says showroom list price for this rare model is around $179,900 (EUR137,338), while the eBay auction is currently at $157,770 (EUR120,429).