1976 | Rolls-Royce Corniche I

Lot details

Year: 1976
Make: Rolls-Royce
Model: Corniche Convertible
Registration: ODV 553P
Chassis No: DRE24989
Odometer: 60,376

The origins of the Corniche came from the continuation of the 1965 Rolls-Royce Silver Shadow fixedhead coupe and 1967 drophead coupe, constructed by the famed coachbuilder Mulliner Park Ward in London. The car was named after the stunning roads along the Cote d'Azur in France and was an elegant two-door design available with either a coupe or convertible body. By 1982, the coupe had ceased production, but convertibles continued to be built until 1996. The first Rolls-Royce to wear the Corniche name was a 1939 prototype based on the Bentley Mk. V, although this was never produced due to the onset of World War II. The car used the standard Rolls-Royce 6750cc V8 engine as fitted to the Silver Shadow and had an aluminium-silicon alloy block and aluminium cylinder heads with cast iron wet cylinder liners. The fuel system was in the form of twin SU carburettors which were later replaced with Bosch fuel injection from 1980 onwards.

First registered in the 1976, this example is delightfully understated in metallic silver with blue full leather trim, matching carpets with a black soft top and walnut dashboard and door capping. Repatriated from the US in May 2010, it was immediately granted an MoT test certificate with an odometer reading of 59,899 and used on the road until 2013 by its owner Mr Driver in Plymouth, it donned the promenade and harbour before being laid up for most of the last decade in an underground car park. Recently, the virtues of such a handsome cars have once again been realised, and a light recommissioning has taken place along with a mechanical overhaul of the brakes which, as we all know, is a necessity for these beautiful dropheads. Benefitting from historic vehicle status and being road tax and MoT exempt, this left hand drive example is perfect for UK based European adventures. Corniche convertibles are collectable, elegant and luxurious with the very best selling for six figures. Consigned by Mathew Priddy