1987 | Rolls-Royce Corniche II

The origins of the Corniche came from the continuation of the 1965 Rolls-Royce Silver Shadow fixedhead coupé and 1967 drophead coupé, constructed by the famed coachbuilder Mulliner Park Ward in London. The car was named after the stunning roads along the Côte d'Azur in France and was an elegant two-door design available with either a coupé or convertible body. By 1982, the coupé 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.

Finished in white with magnolia hide, this Corniche was first registered in June 1987. This is the later derivative of the Corniche which included body-coloured bumpers amongst many other upgrades. Previously owned by Lord Sainsbury this car has been well maintained throughout its life including time spent as a highly desirable wedding car. With a powered hood, in its day the Corniche convertible was the pinnacle of open top luxury motoring and was driven by rockstars and royalty alike. This car comes with a current V5C registration document and will be presented for an MoT prior to the auction. Consigned by John Dutton