Facel Vega FV3B H-26 (Engine - Chrysler P-31 V8 5.2) 1957

1957 Facel Vega FV3B H-26 – Unique piece of automotive history, perfectly restored by Amicale Facel Holland

In the world of classic cars’s there are rare models, and above that there are cars’s that tell a story in their own right. This Facel Vega FV3B with chassis number FV3B-57-180, known internally as H-26, belongs to the latter category. An exceptionally rare example from a batch of only 12 built in March 1957 specifically for the American importer Hornburg, with specific technical requirements. This car has been restored to perfection by Amicale Facel Holland (AFH), leading international specialist in the field of Facel Vega.

History of the Facel Vega brand
FACEL, founded in 1938 as Forges et Ateliers de Construction d’Eure et de Loir SA, began producing stainless steel parts for the aerospace industry. After World War II, the company began building bodyëns for Simca, Ford France and Panhard, among others.

Under the leadership of Jean Daninos, the first car of its own followed in 1954: the Facel Vega FV-1. A dream came true: a genuine French Grand Routier, a luxurious, practical and powerful four-seater sports car.

Facel combined European styling with American power. Using Chrysler V8 engines, the Facel Vega was not only elegant but also exceptionally reliable and fast. Several models appeared in the following years: FV-1 to FV-4, HK500, Excellence, Facel II, Facellia, Facel III and Facel 6.

Although the brand ceased to exist in 1964, Facel Vega is still considered an icon. In the ranks of Rolls-Royce, Bentley and Lagonda, Facel Vega is a uniquely French counterpart with class, style and performance.

The FV3B H-26 – Eén of twelve
The FV3B H-26 is the first of a unique batch of 12 produced by Facel in March 1957 at the request of Hornburg, its successful agent in Californiaë. Hornburg had discovered that the standard P-29 engine from the Plymouth series had now been upgraded to the P-31 V8 (5.2 liters) and was also available with the new 3-speed Torqueflite automatic instead of the older 2-speed Powerflite.

Facel built all twelve cars’s exactly according to these wishes: P-31 engine, Torqueflite automatic, power steering, and only variation in color scheme. The bodywork still remained identical to the FV3; wider bodywork did not arrive until May 1957 with the FV4.

Our H-26 received engine code TY4-056222 and was registered under H-26, the Hornburg serial number at the time. After delivery in the US, the first owners are unknown. In 2002, the chassis surfaced in France as a completely disassembled restoration project, along with an FV4. The car had been partially restored by Atelier des Coteaux, but was found to be incomplete. Amicale Facel Holland decided to purchase the car and completely rebuild it.

The restoration – A masterpiece of AFH
The restoration of H-26 began in 2004 and was completed in 2006. Amicale Facel Holland, globally recognized specialist in the Facel field, tackled this project entirely on its own. Key features:

The car was presented at InterClassics Maastricht in January 2007 and is considered by AFH themselves to be ééone of their best restorations ever. A full photo report of the restoration is available.

Ownership & event history
In March 2008, John Borstlap visited AFH's workshop. He bought the car and had some personal modifications made. A few months later the car returned for a major service after participating in a rally in Belgiumë. Later, the FV3B H-26 was transferred to his son Jan Borstlap.

The car has since been presented at several prestigious events:

Summary specifications

Why this Facel Vega FV3B H-26 is unique

Conclusion
Serious applicants are invited to an exclusive viewing.
A godsend for the collector seeking a historic car of exceptional class, rarity and restoration quality.