The one-off wonder known as the Bentley Mk VI Cresta II.

It was built in 1951 by Facel-Métallon, a French metal stamping and car body maker owned by one Jean Daninos. He’d been in the industry for many years but his dream was to one day create his own car company.

Daninos designed the Cresta II to showcase the company’s capabilities and it was put on the auto show circuit, with a few repaints in different colors to give the impression that there were several units built. The Italian coachbuilder Pininfarina produced the first Cresta Bentley and it was shown at the Paris Salon in 1947. A limited run of 16 cars were then built by the Facel-Metalon company in Paris.

It was a simple marketing trick, but the car and its potential was real.
After show duties, Daninos gave the Cresta II to his wife.

A few years later, he launched his new marque, Facel Vega, which became a favorite of elites with its sporty coupes and imposing saloon cars, complete with Chrysler Hemi V8 power and luxurious appointments.

Daninos had at last realized his dream, but Facel sadly made some missteps, got into financial trouble and folded in 1965.