Chassis No. DRX11490

In 1965, Rolls-Royce introduced their revolutionary new Silver Shadow sedan. It was only natural that they would next develop a two-door coupe version of this car just one year later, in 1966, with the convertible following in 1967. At first, Mulliner Park Ward designed these cars as Silver Shadows, but they were subsequently updated in 1971 when the Corniche name was first used. The nature of the car is certainly tied to its French name which references a coastal road with a rising cliff face to one side. Some of the most famous Corniche roads are along the French Riviera and the Amalfi Coast in Italy, and either would be an ideal setting for this luxuriously intimate two-door convertible.

The Corniche Convertible on offer was ordered through C.R. Berry Rolls-Royce, Inc. of Miami, Florida, in April 1971, and it was delivered to its first owner on 21 December 1971. As the accompanying order form specified, the car was finished in glimmering Willow Gold with Gold over Garnet pinstripes and a Dark Brown Everflex convertible top, while the interior was trimmed in Dark Brown Anela Connolly leather with Brown Gold Connolly leather piping and Dark Brown Glenylon carpeting. Owing to the high level of standard equipment, including power windows and air conditioning, the list of optional equipment includes cruise control, a fully carpeted trunk in matching Dark Brown Glenylon, and Myrtle burl veneer. Once completed, the total suggested retail price was nearly $35,000, or the equivalent of almost $262,000 today.

As presented today, this 1971 Rolls-Royce Corniche Convertible is finished in a lovely ivory and burgundy livery. The now ivory bodywork is beautifully contrasted by a burgundy leather interior with similar ivory piping with beige carpeting extending from the cabin through the trunk. As a splendid example of an early Corniche Convertible, this well-presenting car would be an excellent addition to the stable of any Rolls-Royce enthusiast.