Facel Vega HK500
The Facel Vega HK500 was the car that established Facel Vega as one of the world's premier luxury GT manufacturers. Introduced in 1958 as a successor to the FV/FVS models, the HK500 represented Jean Daninos' vision of combining French coachbuilding artistry with American V8 power and performance. The result was one of the fastest, most luxurious, and most exclusive grand tourers of its era.
The HK500 featured a Chrysler 360 cubic inch (5.9L) V8 producing 335 horsepower — enough to propel the heavy hand-built coupe to 140 mph, making it one of the fastest four-seat cars in the world. Only Aston Martins and top-tier Ferraris could match its performance. The twin Carter AFB four-barrel carburetors provided smooth, relentless power delivery.
The styling was unmistakably French — dramatic wraparound windscreen (the largest curved glass in production at the time), stacked quad headlights, chrome-laden bodywork, and sweeping fenders. Every panel was hand-formed steel over a tubular steel frame. The interior was opulent: full leather upholstery, wood veneer dashboard, comprehensive instrumentation, and features like power windows and air conditioning that were rare luxuries in 1958.
The HK500 introduced disc brakes at the front (Dunlop), a major advancement for a car of this weight and performance. The rear still used inboard drums. The De Dion rear suspension provided better handling than a conventional live axle while maintaining the simplicity and strength needed for the car's prodigious torque.
Facel Vega's clientele was the international elite: Pablo Picasso, Ava Gardner, Tony Curtis, Frank Sinatra, and Joan Fontaine all owned HK500s. These were cars for people who wanted the ultimate in luxury and performance without the Italian exoticism (and unreliability) of Ferrari or Maserati.
The HK500 was produced from 1958-1961, with 490 examples built. It was succeeded by the Facel II in 1962. Today, the HK500 is recognized as one of the great grand tourers of the 1950s — a rare combination of French style and American power that has never been replicated.
The HK500 is an exclusive collector car with only 490 built. Verify authenticity through Facel Vega registries. The Chrysler V8 is robust and parts-available, but coachwork is bespoke and expensive to restore. Check tubular frame for rust and corrosion. The wraparound windscreen is a huge single piece of curved glass — replacement is nearly impossible. Manual transmission (rare) is far more desirable than automatic. De Dion rear suspension requires specialist knowledge. Interior leather and wood are all custom — restoration costs are enormous. Celebrity provenance adds significant value. Budget $40,000+ annually for proper maintenance. Clean examples now command $300,000-500,000.
Total HK500 production: 490 units (1958-1961). Used Chrysler 360 ci (5.9L) V8 producing 325-360 hp depending on tune. Available with 4-speed Pont-à-Mousson manual or Chrysler Powerflite 2-speed automatic (later TorqueFlite 3-speed). Each car hand-built with individual variations. Succeeded earlier FV/FVS models and was replaced by Facel II in 1962. The name 'HK' honored Daninos' wife (Henriette Koenig).