UPDATE: Rare 1954 Facel Vega Found
Thieves broke into a garage and rode away with a 1954 Facel Vega. Two white males were later reported as suspected drunk drivers by a gas station attendant driving “an old antique red car.” The car has been found, the suspects have not.
A rare antique car was reportedly stolen this past weekend in Plainwell, Mich., allegedly stolen by drunken revelers who apparently have a taste for rare cars of a French vintage.
Police say the 1954 Facel was taken from the owners garage sometime overnight Saturday. The owner says there are only 10 of these vehicles in the U.S.
According to the Standard Catalog of Imported Cars 1946-2002, 1954 was the first year of manufacture for this French designed car with only 48 having been produced that year. The car was modified to produce 180 hp, the 276 cid (4.5 liter) DeSoto "Hemi" V-8 under the hood.
Police believe the vehicle was last seen at a Speedway gas station around 5:30 a.m. Sunday. The clerk notified police of two suspected drunk white males driving an "old antique red car."
FACEL VEGA FOUND
In an update:
The 1954 Facel, Vega was found around 12:30 a.m. Tuesday.
The vintage car was allegedly stolen early Saturday morning by two men whose pictures were captured on a gas station surveillance tape. The car is in good shape and no damage was reported.
The police are going through the car for fingerprints and other evidence, but the suspects are still at large. If you have any information, you're asked to contact the Plainwell Department of Public Safety at (269) 720-0621.