The Excellence was completely stripped down, with the body removed from the chassis, as can be seen in photos in the restoration file. It was re-upholstered by Caribex, in red leather to match the original, at a cost of €15,000. The dashboard, in good condition, was re-varnished. Mechanically, the gearbox was checked over, the engine was rebuilt, with new bearings, pistons, valves, timing chain, oil and water pumps. The two carburettors were also overhauled, at a cost of €2,800. The brakes were serviced and the car has a stainless steel exhaust.
The file with the car includes invoices and photos detailing the major work that was carried out. This is undoubtedly one of the finest Excellences in circulation, having enjoyed a complete restoration at the highest level.

This Excellence was delivered new on 25 February 1960 and its first owner, Helen Kirby de Bagration, belonged to an aristocratic Russian family who emigrated during the revolution. She was 25 years old and bought probably the car for her father in law the Duke Vladimir Kirillovitch Romanov . In 1963, the car was sold to a certain M. Y. Fontana, from Neuilly, before being taken on by the Pierre Savoye Garage in 1964. In December 1964 it passed to the Baillon family and has remained there ever since. There is a photo of Jacques taken during his military service during the 1960s, posing proudly with the car in front of the family home. It retains its original ” Tudor Grey ” paintwork, and the black leather upholstery is remarkably well preserved, simply requiring a good clean. The dashboard still displays the magnificent imitation wood effect, while the roof lining has suffered from the years of neglect. The odometer reads 52 213 km and under the bonnet, an oil-change notice dating from 1965 indicates a mileage of 48 221 km. This car has thus been driven very little, but will require a thorough mechanical overhaul before being put back on the road. The boot is also very sound, and still equipped with its toolkit.

Excellence Series 2 we present is, according to Facel records, the latest of eight cars produced. Originally, it was an American citizen who had placed an order but, soon after, died so the car did not get to the US. It was then bought by Jean Bauchet, director of Moulin Rouge. The car can bee seen in the background of an advertorial for Ford, from 1966, published in Look Magazine, where Mr. Bauchet is presented as a “connoisseur of fine motorcars,” whose own car is a “prestigious and rare Facel Vega. Obviously, (Mr. Bauchet) is used to the very best…”

Auction Source: 2012 Artcurial Motorcars à Rétromobile