1984 Rolls-Royce Corniche I

The Rolls-Royce Corniche is named after the Corniche coastal road between Monaco and Nice. The name ‘Corniche’ was introduced in 1971 for the coupé and convertible versions of the Silver Shadow, which had been in production since 1965 and 1967 respectively. The cars were built by Mulliner Park Ward, a coachbuilder based in London and part of the Rolls-Royce group. The Corniche was powered by the company’s standard V8 engine, which had a displacement of 6'750 cc. Initially, the engine was fitted with two SU carburettors; from 1975 onwards, it was fitted with a Solex quadruple carburettor. From 1980, a Bosch fuel injection system was used for the American market. By the time the Rolls-Royce Corniche II was launched in 1987, 3,239 of these luxurious convertibles had been produced. The Rolls-Royce Corniche convertible offered here was ordered in November 1983 by Carriage House Motor Cars Ltd. in New York and shipped on 3 April 1984 to Rolls-Royce Motors Inc. in New Jersey – the car was first registered on 15 June 1984. As a US-specification model, this elegant convertible features petrol fuel injection, a catalytic converter and larger, energy-absorbing bumpers. Just under 59'000 pounds (around CHF 210'000 at the time) was invoiced to the importer for the magnolia-coloured convertible, which was fitted with a 6.75-litre V8 engine, automatic transmission, air conditioning, power steering, an interior finished in the finest light brown Connolly leather, polished wood trim, electric windows and an electro-hydraulic soft top. In 1988, with 23'000 miles on the clock at the time, the Corniche was imported into Switzerland and, shortly afterwards, fitted with a kilometer-based speedometer, the reading of which was adjusted accordingly. In 1998, the then owner decided to have the Rolls-Royce fitted with a Bentley radiator grille and matching bonnet. In the years that followed, the convertible was enjoyed frequently and regularly serviced, as shown by the records available since 1998. In 2001, the Corniche was fitted with a set of new Bentley alloy wheels; in 2002, the air-conditioning compressor was replaced; and in 2003 – following water ingress – the soft top was replaced, the seats were reupholstered and the original leather was refurbished. In 2005, the car was fitted with a new radiator; in 2008 – 13'000 km ago – the steering was overhauled and two new shock absorbers were fitted; and in 2010, the air conditioning system was fitted with a new drier. In 2016, the convertible was sold to a new owner, who in turn sold the car to the current owner in 2021. Since then, the Rolls-Royce has only been driven for around 3'000 km, and only in fine weather. With just under 110'000 km on the clock and a well-stamped service history, this beautiful convertible is in very good condition. The vehicle will be handed over to a new enthusiast complete with copies of the production documents, numerous receipts and the most recent veteran MOT completed in November 2020.