Beschreibung:

Renowned French coach building firm Facel Metallon, founded by Jean Daninos, was best known for its Facel-Vegas, though they also produced lesser known and rarer Simcas and Fords. The Simca Huit Sport arrived in 1951, carrying a body likely inspired by a 1949 Pininfarina Ferrari. It was a big success in France, not so much elsewhere. In 1953, Ford of France, admiring the Simca, decided that an equally beautiful coupe body in a more powerful package would be well received. It was, leading to a production run of approximately 3,000 in 1953/54. Almost all were sold within France, where the Facel Ford Comete was one of the highest priced cars offered. They had some potential for competition, as evidenced by the noted French pilot Pierre Levegh's entry in the 1954 Monte Carlo Rally. Facel cars were always great favorites of French celebrities of the day. The Comete, combining high style with luxurious interior appointments such as its period 'Seduction' radio, is representative of the high-style French boulevardiers of the period. This car was found in central France about 20 years ago, and purchased by two Facel enthusiast brothers. They carefully restored the car to correct 1953 specification, preserving all the details that make these Facel cars so special. Sometime later the car was exported to the US. It has been in California with its current owner for several years, maintained regularly but having seen limited use. The car performs well and drives easily and is eligible for a number of high profile road events such as the California Mille. It would also make an excellent Concours entry, and is sure to attract approving interest wherever it goes. One could use the car as-is, with its 80 hp, 2,300 cc flathead Ford V8 engine. Or, if the objective was to run with Alfa 1900s or Lancia Aurelias, it would relatively simple and period-correct to substitute a 3.9 side valve or OHV Ford V8. In any case, the three speed manual transmission gives this Ford a considerable advantage over the automatic transmission Facel-Vegas. Today, in the U.S., we know of only two other good examples of the model. One was the personal car of Henry Ford II when it was new and is now owned by a well-known automobile designer. This exceptional example, discovered in France and restored to period specifications, surely must be one of the finest Facel Cometes available today.