FONTAINEBLEAU.- Among the 80 classic cars Osenat Auctions is offering at its Summer Sale on 29th June in Fontainebleau, is a Facel Vega HKII, exactly like the one owned by Beatle, Ringo Starr, in 1962 which he bought at the Earls Court Show and drove for four years. The car is one of a private collection of three meticulously restored to concours standard classic cars.
1962 FACEL VEGA HK II - €160 000 - 230 000
“The HK500 was the most fascinating car we ever built, but the Facel II was the best. It was the epitome of elegance.” Jean Daninos, its designer.
Ringo Starr wiould no doubt agree with that sentiment and would have loved the fact that in 1962 it was one of the fastest four seater coupes in the world with a top speed of 240km/h (140mph). It was exceptionally rare too with just 180 of them built. Under its long hood sits the 6.3-liter Chrysler Typhoon TY8 V8. Some €259,000 has been spent on its restoration. This HK2 being sold by Oenat was exhibited at Retromobile in Paris.
Louis de Russe of Osenat Auctions says: "This car has to be one of the rarest and most collectable modern classic cars. It has almost unique engineering and thanks to the association with the Beatles its place as part of pop music history is assured. Ringo drove his version of this car while listening to the Beatles music which was at the peak of its fame. It is a very British pop music salute to French style, design and culture."
The car was delivered to Ringo's home in Weybridge, Surrey. This glamorous grand tourer was perfect for long motorway runs with its huge V8 engine making light work of it.
Ringo owned his version of the car for a total of four years after buying it directly from the stand at Earls Court Motor Show in 1964 for a whopping price tag of £5,570, a huge price for a car at the time.. Credited with singing lead vocals on 'With a little help from my friends' and 'Yellow Submarine', he was co-writer of 'Don't Pass Me By' and Octopus's Garden'. When the Beatles formed in 1960 he was a member of another group, joining the Beatles in 1962 replacing Pete Best. Within two years he was shopping at Earls Court for this superb French car, one of only two such cars produced
Unveiled at the Paris Motor Show in October 1961, the Facel Vega Facel HK II
immediately established itself as the ultimate realization of Jean Daninos’ vision: to offer the world a French grand tourer capable of rivaling the finest Italian and British models.The direct successor to the HK500—more refined, lighter, and more sophisticated—it embodies French luxury and elegance: Connolly leather, precious woods, and instrumentation designed by the Parisian watchmaker Jaeger.
Powered by a 390bhp Chrysler Typhoon engine and with elegant bodywork by Jean Daninos it combined muscle and traditional looks with a whopping price tag of £5,570, a huge price for a car at the time. The car was delivered to Ringo's home in Weybridge, Surrey. This glamorous grand tourer was perfect for long motorway runs with its huge V8 engine making light work of it.
With only about 180 units produced before the brand’s demise in 1964, the Facel II is now among the most sought-after post-war grand tourers among collectors.Under its long hood sits the 6.3-liter Chrysler Typhoon TY8 V8, fed by two four-barrel
carburetors and developing 325 hp, enough to propel the Facel II to nearly 240 km/h,
making it, in the early 1960s, one of the fastest four-seat coupes in the world.
The car presented here by Osenat was delivered new in 1962 to the Clovis garage, reputed to have served as a test vehicle for the factory. In 1967, it was sold by Chamond Granat to Mr. Hubert Souchon. He kept the car for 15 years in Paris, having it regularly serviced, as confirmed by a file of period invoices.
In 1982, this Facel Vega was acquired by the collector who then decided to transport it back to Touraine by road. He left it untouched for 35 years.
In October 2015, a complete restoration began at the Provost workshops in Le Mans. Everything from the chassis down to the smallest trim piece was overhauled. The complete restoration file, along with an expert report prepared by Stéphane Bonneron, is available.
It is now in such excellent condition that it is eligible for the Best of Show award at concours d’élégance events, and has covered only 1,900 km since its restoration.
With only 184 units produced before the brand’s demise in 1964, it remains to this day one of the last great, entirely French luxury cars.
French collector’s registration certificate
• Serial number: HK2 A176
• Engine: TY8712197
• Fully restored in 2018 by Provost (+ €250,000 in invoices)
• Extensive and detailed documentation
ROLLAND-PILAIN TYPE C 12/16HP Demi-Limousine - €30 000 / 50 000
This magnificent 117 year old car was bought new in 1909 by a French Army lieutenant Durouchoux who went into the horror of the WW1 trenches being made a captain but sadly did not return from the war. His family kept it garaged in immaculate condition till 1983 when it was bought by the current owner. Not many 117 year old cars can claim just two owners.
Imagine… take a leap back 117 years to find yourself at 129 Rue Victor Hugo in Tours, in front of the Rolland-Pilain factories. It is 24 June 1909; you are greeted by a brand mechanic for the delivery of your Rolland Pilain Type C 12/16 HP, bodied as a half-limousine by the coachbuilder Bernin, a neighbour of the factory at 82 Rue Victor Hugo.
From its delivery in 1909 right up to the lieutenant’s departure for the war, Osenat even have its service logbook with details of consumables and fuel. The pages of this logbook stop being filled in on 31 July 1914.
Lieutenant Durouchoux, who had been promoted to captain, did not return from the war, but the car was carefully preserved by his family and repainted black as a sign of mourning. It was soon put into storage on blocks until 1924, when the eldest son, having obtained his driving licence, brought the car back into service to take his mother and his five brothers and sisters to mass on Sundays.
As the years passed, the car was once again stored on blocks until 1978. On 4
January 1978, it was acquired by the current seller, who then began a meticulous restoration, retaining all the original components except for the dashboard panel, which was replaced. It was also during this restoration that the Rolland-Pilain was repainted in its original colour.
Today, this car is a true testament to France’s motoring heritage, in a very fine condition considering its 117 years, and well maintained by the seller. Roadworthy, it also comes to sale with Captain Durouchoux’s dust cover. Although the leather lining of theclutch is regularly greased with ox-foot oil, replacement of this cone clutch lining should be planned for optimal use.
For the record, the Rolland-Pilain brand was founded in November 1905, not in the Paris region, as one might expect, but a little further south, on the banks of the Loire, in Tours. Like other manufacturers of the time (such as De Dion-Bouton), the brand owes its origins to a gentleman’s passion for the automobile, as well as his meeting with a talented mechanic named Émile Pilain.
1909 Rolland Pilain Type C 12/16 HP Demi-Limousine.
Vehicle registration document (collector’s edition)
Chassis-Engine No. 328
Only two owners in 117 years
Significant documentation (history and invoices)
Regularly maintained. Parts and accessories.
1983 FERRARI 512 BBi - €190 000 / 240 000
• Matching Numbers (see Ferrari Classiche certificate)
• Only 29,000 original kilometers
• Restored by Établissements Provost
As early as 1946, Enzo Ferrari was truly fascinated by the V12 engine, elevating this architecture to the status of an absolute signature for his production sports cars. In the 1970s, the task of succeeding the legendary Daytona was naturally entrusted to Pininfarina. The master coachbuilder then conceived the “Berlinetta Boxer” (BB): a sharp silhouette with taut lines, characterized by a subtly set-back cockpit and a long, sloping hood, evoking a feline ready to pounce.
A direct descendant of Formula 1, the lineage began with the 365 GT4/BB before evolving majestically into the 512 BB. Unveiled at the Paris Motor Show in 1976 tocounter the o ensive of the Lamborghini Countach and Porsche 930, the 512 saw the displacement of its legendary Boxer engine increase from 4.4 to 5 liters, developing 345 horsepower. More powerful, more imposing, yet also easier to
handle and more comfortable than its predecessor, it immediately established itself as a true Formula 1 of the road.
In 1982, the model reached a decisive milestone and became the 512 BBi. The integration of Bosch K-Jetronic fuel injection made the 340-horsepower engine more reliable and modernized its fuel delivery, without altering its soul. While the exterior styling updates remain subtle, the interior has been elegantly redesigned.
The example Osenat are offering was delivered new by Établissements Charles Pozzi on April 5, 1983, to one of their dealers: Auto 2000 in Marcq-en-Barœul. Registered as 13 MZ 59, according to its service log and accounts from previous owners, everything suggests that this car was owned by the dealership at least until 1986.
In April 1986, it underwent its 10,000 km service at the Francorchamps garage; this is the last stamp in the logbook. In 1988, it changed hands but remained in the north. Its new owner kept it until 1993, when it came into the possession of Mr. Hamelle in the Hauts-de-Seine department. He kept it for three years before selling it in 1996, after only 500 km had been driven, to Mr. Ventadour. The car then had 25,550 km on it.
This most recent owner, a Ferrari collector, kept and maintained it until his death in 2016. This period is documented by various maintenance invoices. In 2016, the car came into the possession of Établissements Provost, which then began its restoration. The car was disassembled, repainted, the mechanical components fully overhauled, and the running gear rebuilt. This work is documented by a photo file as well as an expert report by Stéphane Bonneron, prepared in January 2018.
In 2018, it became the property of its current collector, who has used it sparingly and with great care to preserve its exceptional pedigree to this day, as evidenced by its pristine inspection record.
Presented today in a condition of preservation and operation befitting the
model’s stature, this 512 BBi represents a rare opportunity to own a major milestone in the history of Maranello. Boasting low original mileage and a provenance known and certified by Ferrari Classiche, it is sure to appeal to the most discerning collectors of the Prancing Horse brand.
Chassis number: 45439
Engine number: 00474
Transmission number: 470
1964 Ferrari 250 GTO Evocation- €1 500 000 - 2 500 000
FROM ANOTHER METICULOUS COLLECTOR THIS CAR
A motoring legend introduced in 1962, the Ferrari 250 GTO (standing for Gran Turismo Omologata) marked the pinnacle of the Maranello-based firm’s development of front-engined Berlinettas for GT racing. Designed under the direction of Giotto Bizzarrini and finalised by Sergio Scaglietti, it s powered by the 3.0-litre Colombo V12 engine, developing around 300 horsepower.
Developed to meet the FIA’s homologation requirements for the GT category, the 250 GTOdistinguished itself in major events such as the Tour de France Automobile, the 12 Hours of Sebring and the Targa Florio, winning three consecutive World Constructors’
Championships between 1962 and 1964. With only 36 original units produced, this model remains a technical and historical milestone in the landscape of 20th-century sports car production.
The example presented here is an evocation of the Ferrari 250 GTO, built from a 1964 Ferrari 330 GT 2+2 (chassis no. 6149). Originally delivered to the United States, this car subsequently returned to France before undergoing an ambitious conversion project.
The reconstruction involved fitting a 250 GTO aluminium body supplied by a British specialist.
This was adapted to a 330 GT chassis as part of a complete restoration. Under the supervision of the ‘Le Baron Sellier’ workshops in Rochetaillée, several specialist workshops took part in this incredible project: Garage Kayedjian for the chassis, Établissements Bonnefoy for fitting the body to the chassis, and the ‘Le Baron Sellier’
workshops for the bodywork and interior fit-out. The wheelbase has been modified to match that of a 250 GTO (2.41 m). The original 4-speed gearbox has been replaced by a 5-speed unit.
The 330 engine has been completely overhauled by GTO Engineering, which also supplied the wiring harness. Six Weber 38 carburettors from Italy complete the package. These were fitted and tuned by the “ARS classic” garage in Le Castelet.
All mechanical components have been fully overhauled: engine, gearbox, running gear, braking system, exhaust, electrical system and upholstery. An expert report accompanies the vehicle and documents the various stages of this evocation project.
This is therefore a faithful evocation of the Ferrari 250 GTO, built from an authentic Ferrari chassis, with the original serial numbers retained. Respecting the lines, proportions and spirit of the original model, this faithful recreation pays tribute to one of Ferrari’s most iconic creations. We are therefore offering you the opportunity to acquire a rare and meticulously crafted evocation of the 250 GTO—a car that embodies both the elegance of classic design and the joy of driving.
Please note, for European buyers, that the process of obtaining a French registration certificate is underway and that a minimum of six months is required.
Chassis: #6149
- US title cleared through customs (846 A)
- French registration pending
- High-quality restoration project carried out by a team of French and British specialists
- Aluminium bodywork
