Introduced in 1971 and named for a glamorous stretch of road along the French Riviera, the Rolls-Royce Corniche represented the height of automotive luxury throughout its remarkable 24-year production run. The handsome Corniche presented here is a superb Convertible from the final year of first-generation production. Finished in the classic combination of Old English White over cream Connolly hides, this European-specification Corniche was imported into the US in 1993, federalized by European Car Center in California, and then registered to an owner in Michigan. In 1995, a resident of Fort Scott, Kansas, acquired the Rolls-Royce and retained it until 2018. Prominent Southern California-based collector Kip Cyprus added the Corniche to his impressive stable of classics in 2019. According to Mr. Cyprus, the Corniche was treated to a comprehensive professional detailing process costing nearly $100,000. The paint and brightwork are superb, and the interior is beautifully finished with outstanding leather, carpeting, and burl-wood trim. The stereo system is a period McIntosh unit, an incredibly expensive feature in its day.

The current owner has maintained the Corniche in the same fashion, and the car presents in concours-quality condition. At the time of cataloguing, the odometer displayed just over 13,500 miles, a figure that is supported by records and an odometer disclosure on file. An undisputed icon of 1980s luxury motoring and a true modern classic, this Rolls-Royce is among the finest of its kind and would certainly be welcome at any Beverly Hills or Palm Beach motor court.