Facel Vega Excellence EX1
The Facel Vega Excellence represented Jean Daninos' bold attempt to create the ultimate four-door luxury sedan – a French challenger to Rolls-Royce, Mercedes-Benz, and Cadillac. Introduced in 1956 alongside the two-door FV, the Excellence featured spectacular four-door pillarless hardtop styling that was utterly unique in the luxury car market. With all windows lowered, the Excellence became a true pillarless design with uninterrupted glass area – a stunning visual statement that was both technically challenging and aesthetically magnificent. The Excellence's styling was distinctly French, featuring elegant proportions, a wraparound windscreen, and restrained chrome detailing. The body was hand-built from steel panels over a reinforced tubular steel frame, with exceptional build quality. The longer wheelbase compared to the two-door FV allowed spacious rear accommodations befitting a luxury sedan. Under the hood sat powerful Chrysler V8 engines, with displacement growing from 5.4 to 6.3 liters over the production run. The top-spec 6.3L engine produced 325 horsepower and massive torque, giving the Excellence surprising performance for such a large, heavy car. The smooth-shifting Chrysler Torqueflite automatic transmission was standard, perfectly suited to the car's luxury mission. Inside, the Excellence was a showcase of French artisanal craftsmanship. Hand-stitched leather upholstery, rich wood veneers, premium carpeting, and comprehensive instrumentation created an ambiance of understated opulence. The front seats were individual buckets, while the rear bench offered limousine-like space and comfort. Air conditioning, power windows, and a premium radio were standard – remarkable luxury for the 1950s. The pillarless design, while visually spectacular, presented significant structural challenges. Without a B-pillar, body flex was an issue, leading to squeaks, rattles, and eventual structural fatigue. Later Excellence models received reinforced frames to address these problems, but the fundamental issue remained. This structural weakness ultimately limited sales and contributed to the model's rarity. The Excellence found favor with an exclusive clientele including heads of state, royalty, and celebrities who appreciated its unique combination of performance, luxury, and distinctiveness. Pablo Picasso, King Hassan II of Morocco, and Aga Khan IV all owned Excellence models. Production was tiny – only 152 units over eight years – ensuring the Excellence's place as one of the rarest luxury cars ever built. Today, the Excellence is recognized as one of the most distinctive and collectible post-war luxury cars. Its pillarless design, French coachbuilt quality, and extreme rarity make it highly sought-after. Well-preserved examples command strong six-figure prices, with exceptional cars breaking into seven-figure territory.
With only 152 built, Excellence models are extraordinarily rare and valuable. The pillarless design's structural weakness means checking for body flex, door alignment issues, and frame cracks is critical. Many survivors have received frame reinforcement work. The Chrysler V8 is reliable but requires maintenance. Check for rust throughout the structure, particularly in the reinforced frame areas. French-specific components are extremely difficult to source. Restoration requires world-class expertise and six-figure budgets. Look for documented provenance, celebrity ownership, or special-order details that add value. Most survivors are in Europe. Expect to pay $200,000-$500,000 for good examples.
Only 152 Facel Vega Excellence models were produced from 1956-1964, making it one of the rarest luxury cars ever built. Each car was hand-built to customer specifications at the Colombes factory. The EX1 designation indicated the first-generation Excellence with 354 ci engine. Later EX2 models received the larger 383 ci V8. The pillarless design's structural challenges limited production.