• Year of manufacture 
    1979
  • Mileage 
    51 800 mi / 83 365 km
  • Car type 
    Other
  • Lot number 
    223
  • Reference number 
    109493_118403
  • Drive 
    RHD
  • Condition 
    Used
  • Location
    United Kingdom
  • Exterior colour 
    Other

Description

"The Corniche was Rolls-Royce's coupé and convertible version of the Silver Shadow produced between 1971 and 1996. The Corniche was named 'Silver Shadow Mulliner Park Ward two door fixed head coupé' before 1971 when the Corniche name was applied. The exterior design was by John Polwhele Blatchley. The independent coach maker James Young had already custom-made a two-door coupe variant of the Silver Shadow, but Young's model proved less popular and was soon discontinued. The model was assembled and finished in London at Mulliner Park Ward as continuation of the 1965 Silver Shadow coupé and 1967 drophead. The Corniche was also sold as a Bentley, though that model became known as the Continental in 1984. The first car to wear the Corniche name was a 1939 prototype based on the Bentley Mk. V which was never produced because of the onset of World War II. The Corniche was available both as a coupé and convertible, with the former discontinued in 1982. The car used the standard Rolls-Royce V8 engine. It had an aluminium-silicon alloy block and aluminium cylinder heads with cast iron wet cylinder liners. The bore was 4.1 in and the stroke was 3.9 in for a total of 6.75 litres. Twin SU carburettors were initially fitted with a single Solex four barrel carburettor introduced in 1975. A four-wheel independent suspension with coil springs was augmented with a hydraulic self-levelling system at first on all four, but later in the rear wheels only. Four wheel disc brakes were specified, with ventilated discs added for 1972.
This particular example is the ultra-rare 5000 series. These were in production however for less than three years and very few were produced, just over 300 we believe. They benefitted from the underpinnings of the new Silver Spirit with hydropneumatics self-levelling suspension, modified with Girling automatic hydraulic ride height control system and gas-charged shock absorbers. The braking was also updated to Silver Spirit specification using the new Mineral oil system. This car has been in the same ownership for the last 25 years, during which time much expenditure has been spent on the car with specialists including the Chelsea Workshop in the 1980s, where it was serviced no less than 22 times between 1982 and 1991 and it was at that time in this wonderful car’s history that it was fitted with the desirable Harvey Bailey suspension. In 1983 it had a speedometer change at 25,510 miles. The car was extensively restored in the late 1990s when the engine was rebuilt, re trimmed and had a full bare metal re spray in the colour you see today blue/black. A full photographic record of this restoration is included in the history file. Also, this Rolls Royce is fitted with the rare and desirable factory fitted sunroof and comes with cream leather interior, air conditioning and electric windows. It is also important to note that it is Tax, MoT exempt and Ulez free! A truly rare luxury British coupe highly sought after by connoisseurs around the world. Offered with No Reserve, this surely must be one of the best opportunities available today!"


Historics Auctioneers
Iver
SL09HF
United Kingdom
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Title 
Mr
First name 
Inquiries
Last name 
Historics

Phone 
+44-1753639170