Rare Car Archive

Makes › Facel Vega France › FV Cabriolet · Rare specification · 1955–1957 Ultra Rare

Facel Vega
FV Cabriolet

Convertible FV, rarest body style of the FV line.

Still being researched: full specifications. Everything shown is checked against the cited sources. Know more? Send us a source.

IDENTIFICATION CARD · FACEL VEGA FV CABRIOLET 1955–1957
No licensed photograph yet. Photographs are published only when their licence permits it.
11BuiltIndependently researched
0Chassis documentedin this archive
5SurvivingIndependently researched
Contents
  1. 01Overview
  2. 02Production & history
  3. 03Specifications
  4. 04Colours & options
  5. 05Individual cars
  6. 06Reference

01Overview

At a glance

Built
11 Built
Years
1955–1957
Engine
Front-mounted Chrysler Hemi V8 (FV2B) · 5,800 cc / 5.8 LFactory: 354 cu in · converted
Power
Not yet verified
Top speed
Not yet verified
Body
Not yet verified
Designer
Jean Daninos and Jacques Brasseur (FV coupe design team)
In this archive
Not yet verified
Surviving
5 (independently researched)

Sources and any conflicting figures are in the sections below.

Why it matters

Only 11 cabriolets were built across the entire Facel Vega FV line, perhaps five of which survive, making it the rarest FV body style. It offered the open-top version of France's Chrysler Hemi-powered luxury grand tourer.

How rare is it?

Six separate kinds of rarity – never combined into one number.

Model rarityNot yet assessed
Specification rarityUltra Rare 11 · Built1,2
Colour rarityNot yet assessed
Individual rarityNot yet assessed
Historical rarityNot yet assessed
Survival rarityNot yet assessed 5 · Surviving3

Each kind of rarity is rated separately and never combined.

02Production & history

Production

Every figure says what it counts.

What is countedFigureBasisStatus
Total model productionPerhaps 5 of 11 FV cabriolets survive per RM Sotheby's (hedged) 53 Surviving examples Independently researched
Factory package productioncabriolets built across the entire FV line 111,2 Factory production Independently researched

Independent counts (e.g. engine and colour) are never combined into a calculated figure. Surviving examples are never presented as original production.

History

Facel, a former machine-tool and body supplier, launched the Vega in 1954 and built 354 FV-series cars to 1958. When the FV2B entered production in April 1956, only two of the first 72 were cabriolets. The RM example has a 354 cu in Chrysler Hemi V8 with push-button transmission, power windows and a power top.

Variants

How each version differs from the standard FV Cabriolet.

No variants documented yet. Have a source? Contribute it.

03Specifications

Technical specifications

Engine

Engine familyNot yet verified
Engine codeNot yet verified
LayoutFront-mounted Chrysler Hemi V8 (FV2B)3 Independently researched
Displacement 5,800 cc / 5.8 LFactory: 354 cu in · converted3 Independently researched
BoreNot yet verified
StrokeNot yet verified
Compression ratioNot yet verified
Fuel systemNot yet verified
PowerNot yet verified
Power atNot yet verified
TorqueNot yet verified

Transmission & drivetrain

GearboxPush-button automatic (FV2B)3 Independently researched
GearsNot yet verified
Driven wheelsNot yet verified

Chassis, body & dimensions

ChassisNot yet verified
Front suspensionIndependent, coil springs1 Registry reported
Rear suspensionLeaf-sprung rear axle1 Registry reported
BrakesNot yet verified
SteeringNot yet verified
Body constructionNot yet verified
WheelbaseNot yet verified
Length 4.57 mFactory: 4.57 m1 Registry reportedNarrow-body FV to FV3; FV3B/FV4 are 4.59 m x 1.80 m.
Width 1.76 mFactory: 1.76 m1 Registry reported
Height 1.38 mFactory: 1.38 m1 Registry reported
Front trackNot yet verified
Rear trackNot yet verified
Kerb weight 1,660 kgFactory: 1,660 kg1 Registry reportedCoupe figure for FV-FV3; page does not give a separate convertible weight.
Dry weightNot yet verified

Performance

Maximum speedNot yet verified
0–100 km/hNot yet verified
Fuel tank 100 LFactory: 100 L1 Registry reported

“Not yet verified” means no source has been checked for that value yet. Nothing is estimated to fill a gap.

04Colours & options

Factory colours & interiors

Original paint and trim, with the number of cars in each where a source gives it.

Not yet documented. Have a source? Contribute it.

Factory options & codes

Codes are shown exactly as written by the manufacturer.

Not yet documented. Have a source? Contribute it.

05Individual cars

Chassis register

Every documented car, with its colours, history and where it is now. Open a row for the full record. Known chassis are not automatically authenticated originals.

Not yet documented. Have a source? Contribute it.

Competition history

Every race result of the individual cars, in date order. Click a chassis number to open its full record in the register.

Not yet documented. Have a source? Contribute it.

Auction & sale history

Documented public sales of the individual cars. Click a chassis number to open its full record in the register.

Not yet documented. Have a source? Contribute it.

See one in person

Museums where an example of this car can be seen.

No example is documented on public display yet. Have a source? Contribute it.

06Reference

Identification guide

How to tell an original from a replica or later conversion.

The FV2B cabriolet sold by RM shows a wraparound windscreen, egg-crate grille, monogrammed tail lamps, Robergel wire wheels, power windows and a power-operated top.

Sources

Each number links to the exact facts it supports.

  1. 1
    The FVs Level B Facel Vega Car Club
    • FV1 32 cars of which seven convertibles
    • independent front suspension with coil springs
    • leaf spring-suspended rear axles
    • 4.57m long x 1.76m wide x 1.38 high
    • weight is 1660kg
    • Fuel tanks were 100 litres
    Accessed 2026-11-13
  2. 2
    1957 Facel Vega FV2B Cabriolet | RM Sotheby’s Monterey 2024 Level B
    • 11 cabriolets built across the entire FV line
    Accessed 2026-11-11
  3. 3
    1957 Facel Vega FV2B Cabriolet – Monterey 2024, lot 122 Level B RM Sotheby's · 2024
    • perhaps five survive
    • 354-cubic-inch Chrysler Hemi V-8
    • push-button transmission
    Accessed 2026-11-11

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