Facel Vega has developed a devoted following and the brand is still fondly remembered nearly 60 years after its death. If you consider yourself a fan, you’ll be delighted to know a Facel II prototype is going up for auction.

Set to go under the hammer at RM Sotheby’s Villa Erba event in May, the prototype looked to build on the success of earlier models while also incorporating a number of improvements.

According to the listing, the prototype was built in 1959 and is based on the HK500. Despite its prototype status, the car looks phenomenal and features a prominent grille that is flanked by stacked headlights. They’re joined by curvaceous windows, distinctive brightwork, and a dual exhaust system that was integrated into the rear bumper.

More: This Faded But Fabulous Facel Vega Coupe Is The Definition Of Shabby Chic

This 1959 Facel Vega Facel II Prototype Could Fetch A Cool $1.1 Million
This 1959 Facel Vega Facel II Prototype Could Fetch A Cool $1.1 Million
This 1959 Facel Vega Facel II Prototype Could Fetch A Cool $1.1 Million
This 1959 Facel Vega Facel II Prototype Could Fetch A Cool $1.1 Million
This 1959 Facel Vega Facel II Prototype Could Fetch A Cool $1.1 Million
This 1959 Facel Vega Facel II Prototype Could Fetch A Cool $1.1 Million
This 1959 Facel Vega Facel II Prototype Could Fetch A Cool $1.1 Million
This 1959 Facel Vega Facel II Prototype Could Fetch A Cool $1.1 Million
This 1959 Facel Vega Facel II Prototype Could Fetch A Cool $1.1 Million
This 1959 Facel Vega Facel II Prototype Could Fetch A Cool $1.1 Million
This 1959 Facel Vega Facel II Prototype Could Fetch A Cool $1.1 Million
This 1959 Facel Vega Facel II Prototype Could Fetch A Cool $1.1 Million
This 1959 Facel Vega Facel II Prototype Could Fetch A Cool $1.1 Million
This 1959 Facel Vega Facel II Prototype Could Fetch A Cool $1.1 Million
This 1959 Facel Vega Facel II Prototype Could Fetch A Cool $1.1 Million
This 1959 Facel Vega Facel II Prototype Could Fetch A Cool $1.1 Million
This 1959 Facel Vega Facel II Prototype Could Fetch A Cool $1.1 Million
This 1959 Facel Vega Facel II Prototype Could Fetch A Cool $1.1 Million
This 1959 Facel Vega Facel II Prototype Could Fetch A Cool $1.1 Million
This 1959 Facel Vega Facel II Prototype Could Fetch A Cool $1.1 Million
This 1959 Facel Vega Facel II Prototype Could Fetch A Cool $1.1 Million
This 1959 Facel Vega Facel II Prototype Could Fetch A Cool $1.1 Million
This 1959 Facel Vega Facel II Prototype Could Fetch A Cool $1.1 Million
This 1959 Facel Vega Facel II Prototype Could Fetch A Cool $1.1 Million
This 1959 Facel Vega Facel II Prototype Could Fetch A Cool $1.1 Million
This 1959 Facel Vega Facel II Prototype Could Fetch A Cool $1.1 Million
This 1959 Facel Vega Facel II Prototype Could Fetch A Cool $1.1 Million
This 1959 Facel Vega Facel II Prototype Could Fetch A Cool $1.1 Million
This 1959 Facel Vega Facel II Prototype Could Fetch A Cool $1.1 Million
This 1959 Facel Vega Facel II Prototype Could Fetch A Cool $1.1 Million
This 1959 Facel Vega Facel II Prototype Could Fetch A Cool $1.1 Million
This 1959 Facel Vega Facel II Prototype Could Fetch A Cool $1.1 Million

While most prototypes aren’t known for their elegance, the Facel II bucks that trend as leather and wood cover virtually everything inside the cabin. They’re joined by a three-spoke steering wheel, chrome switchgear, and eight different gauges including a clock.

The listing is light on performance specifications, but the 1959 HK500 was offered with a 6.3-liter Chrysler V8 that reportedly produced 355 hp (265 kW / 360 PS). This enabled the model to accelerate from 0-60 mph (0-96 km/h) in 8.5 seconds before hitting a top speed of 147 mph (237 km/h).

The 6.3-liter V8 was also found in the road-going Facel II and documentation suggests it powers the prototype as well. Regardless, the listing says the engine is connected to a Pont-à-Mousson four-speed manual transmission.

This 1959 Facel Vega Facel II Prototype Could Fetch A Cool $1.1 Million

The prototype was “hidden from view” for years and was registered for the first time by founder Jean Daninos on February 16, 1965. That was shortly before the company went bust and it appears he only held onto the car for a few months as it was handed over to its second owner on May 6th of that same year.

The car has traded hands a number of times since then and it was given a “comprehensive restoration” between 2020 and 2022. That process was extensively detailed and “involved remanufacturing of much of the car’s bodywork.” This doesn’t seem to have impacted the prototype’s value as it carries an auction estimate of $750,000 – $1,100,000 (€700,000 – €1,000,000 / £600,000 – £850,000).

This 1959 Facel Vega Facel II Prototype Could Fetch A Cool $1.1 Million
This 1959 Facel Vega Facel II Prototype Could Fetch A Cool $1.1 Million
This 1959 Facel Vega Facel II Prototype Could Fetch A Cool $1.1 Million
This 1959 Facel Vega Facel II Prototype Could Fetch A Cool $1.1 Million
This 1959 Facel Vega Facel II Prototype Could Fetch A Cool $1.1 Million
This 1959 Facel Vega Facel II Prototype Could Fetch A Cool $1.1 Million
This 1959 Facel Vega Facel II Prototype Could Fetch A Cool $1.1 Million
This 1959 Facel Vega Facel II Prototype Could Fetch A Cool $1.1 Million
This 1959 Facel Vega Facel II Prototype Could Fetch A Cool $1.1 Million
This 1959 Facel Vega Facel II Prototype Could Fetch A Cool $1.1 Million
This 1959 Facel Vega Facel II Prototype Could Fetch A Cool $1.1 Million
This 1959 Facel Vega Facel II Prototype Could Fetch A Cool $1.1 Million
This 1959 Facel Vega Facel II Prototype Could Fetch A Cool $1.1 Million
This 1959 Facel Vega Facel II Prototype Could Fetch A Cool $1.1 Million
This 1959 Facel Vega Facel II Prototype Could Fetch A Cool $1.1 Million
This 1959 Facel Vega Facel II Prototype Could Fetch A Cool $1.1 Million
This 1959 Facel Vega Facel II Prototype Could Fetch A Cool $1.1 Million
This 1959 Facel Vega Facel II Prototype Could Fetch A Cool $1.1 Million
This 1959 Facel Vega Facel II Prototype Could Fetch A Cool $1.1 Million
This 1959 Facel Vega Facel II Prototype Could Fetch A Cool $1.1 Million
This 1959 Facel Vega Facel II Prototype Could Fetch A Cool $1.1 Million
This 1959 Facel Vega Facel II Prototype Could Fetch A Cool $1.1 Million
This 1959 Facel Vega Facel II Prototype Could Fetch A Cool $1.1 Million
This 1959 Facel Vega Facel II Prototype Could Fetch A Cool $1.1 Million
This 1959 Facel Vega Facel II Prototype Could Fetch A Cool $1.1 Million
This 1959 Facel Vega Facel II Prototype Could Fetch A Cool $1.1 Million
This 1959 Facel Vega Facel II Prototype Could Fetch A Cool $1.1 Million
This 1959 Facel Vega Facel II Prototype Could Fetch A Cool $1.1 Million
This 1959 Facel Vega Facel II Prototype Could Fetch A Cool $1.1 Million
This 1959 Facel Vega Facel II Prototype Could Fetch A Cool $1.1 Million
This 1959 Facel Vega Facel II Prototype Could Fetch A Cool $1.1 Million
This 1959 Facel Vega Facel II Prototype Could Fetch A Cool $1.1 Million
This 1959 Facel Vega Facel II Prototype Could Fetch A Cool $1.1 Million
This 1959 Facel Vega Facel II Prototype Could Fetch A Cool $1.1 Million
This 1959 Facel Vega Facel II Prototype Could Fetch A Cool $1.1 Million
This 1959 Facel Vega Facel II Prototype Could Fetch A Cool $1.1 Million
This 1959 Facel Vega Facel II Prototype Could Fetch A Cool $1.1 Million
This 1959 Facel Vega Facel II Prototype Could Fetch A Cool $1.1 Million
This 1959 Facel Vega Facel II Prototype Could Fetch A Cool $1.1 Million
This 1959 Facel Vega Facel II Prototype Could Fetch A Cool $1.1 Million
This 1959 Facel Vega Facel II Prototype Could Fetch A Cool $1.1 Million
This 1959 Facel Vega Facel II Prototype Could Fetch A Cool $1.1 Million
This 1959 Facel Vega Facel II Prototype Could Fetch A Cool $1.1 Million
This 1959 Facel Vega Facel II Prototype Could Fetch A Cool $1.1 Million
This 1959 Facel Vega Facel II Prototype Could Fetch A Cool $1.1 Million
This 1959 Facel Vega Facel II Prototype Could Fetch A Cool $1.1 Million
This 1959 Facel Vega Facel II Prototype Could Fetch A Cool $1.1 Million
This 1959 Facel Vega Facel II Prototype Could Fetch A Cool $1.1 Million
This 1959 Facel Vega Facel II Prototype Could Fetch A Cool $1.1 Million
This 1959 Facel Vega Facel II Prototype Could Fetch A Cool $1.1 Million
This 1959 Facel Vega Facel II Prototype Could Fetch A Cool $1.1 Million
This 1959 Facel Vega Facel II Prototype Could Fetch A Cool $1.1 Million
This 1959 Facel Vega Facel II Prototype Could Fetch A Cool $1.1 Million
This 1959 Facel Vega Facel II Prototype Could Fetch A Cool $1.1 Million

Pictures: RM Sotheby’s