Appearing in 1965 as Mulliner Park Ward’s two-door version of the Rolls-Royce Silver Shadow, and given a separate identity in 1971, the Corniche heralded something of a change of character for Rolls-Royce when it launched although, of course, it ensured the marque continued to embody the height of automotive luxury through the 1960s, ’70s and ’80s. The upright dimensions of older Rolls-Royces like the Silver Dawn and Silver Cloud were thrown out and replaced with a low, sleek profile which better suited the exuberance of the late ’60s without sacrificing any of the brand’s time-honoured dignity.

Under the skin, the Silver Shadow and Corniche were most sophisticated Rolls-Royces by a country mile. Inheriting the Rolls-Royce L-series V8 introduced in 1959 with Turbo-Hydramatic three-speed automatic transmission by from General Motors, notable advances includes four-wheel independent suspension with hydraulic self-levelling system and all-round disc brakes. In 1980, it benefitted further from the introduction of fuel injection.

The result was a car perfectly styled and engineered to appeal to both youthful rock stars and established businessmen, one which would look at home watching the Henley Regatta, cruising the French Riviera or arriving silently at a Malibu country club. Accordingly, it proved popular not only in Britain but in Europe and America, too, and 3239 Corniche convertibles were sold between 1971 and 1987, when it was given a new lease of life as the Corniche II.

Although rare, the survival rate of Corniches is fairly high as all will have been cherished from new, and this example has benefitted from sympathetic and caring ownership for the last 25 years at least. With little use since 2015, it appears for sale in very good cosmetic and mechanical condition, an attractive prospect for anyone wanting to enjoy the summer with an elegant open-top cruiser.

One naturally expects to step into a whole new world of luxury when entering a Rolls-Royce, and this Corniche does not disappoint. It positively cossets its occupants, who can relax in big, soft, leather seats, with deep shag carpets for extra comfort and beautiful, rich walnut trim to please the eye.

We believe the interior of this car to be completely original, except for the fitment of a modern Kenwood radio. The condition reflects its originality, with the leather upholstery and walnut trim both displaying a pleasing patina. The leather has sustained some slight damage in places, with a few areas where it is torn, cracked or otherwise marked in some way, but on the whole it is still more than presentable and eminently show-worthy. The carpets are in good condition all-round, though the rubber mat on the driver’s side has a tear in it.

The soft top’s interior headlining exhibits a few signs of age. The material is coming away from the frame at the rear and also to the panel spanning the length of the windscreen frame. There are also some slight blemishes and a few marks caused by mould. Overall, it remains well supported and the aforementioned blemishes are not especially noticeable during normal use.

While the sumptuous leather and walnut satisfies traditional expectations of English luxury and craftsmanship, the Corniche also boasts what would have been uncommonly sophisticated technology for its time, including power windows, air-conditioning, and a digital clock and external temperature display.

The boot is well-presented and clean, with the carpets and trim in good condition but showing some light patina in places.

The Corniche is a pretty car even on the greyest days, but it’s truly something else when the sun breaks through the clouds and brings its metallic blue paint to life with a tantalizing sparkle. Following some cosmetic work in 2002, which included the fitment of a new power hood in dark blue mohair and some partial repainting, it really is a lovely sight.

Twenty years later, it still presents beautifully, with the paint in excellent condition. Over the years, it has acquired a few superficial blemishes, such as a little chip at the edge of the boot lid and some very mild microblistering on the nearside rear wing. There are also some cracks, barely noticeable, in the paintwork at the corners of the bumpers, but it is nonetheless an extremely well turned-out car which will attract admirers on the road and at shows.

The new electric hood remains in very good condition. On viewing the car, it required a bit of manual assistance to complete the raising and lowering, but after a squirt of WD40 it moved much more freely.

The wheels are in very good condition and so is all the brightwork. From what we can see the underside is very solid and, on the whole it has the appearance of a car which would be well-received wherever it goes, from a local pub meet to a Rolls-Royce Enthusiasts’ Club rally.

From what we have seen of this car in motion, it has all the traits one would expect to find in a Rolls-Royce: smoothness, responsiveness, a lightness which belies its size, and quietness bordering on silence. The engine clearly runs very well and, with an automatic gearbox and power steering, it offers an effortless driving experience. It is able to manoeuvre within tight confines with the greatest of ease and stops on command.

In 2014, £1015 was spent with Rolls-Royce specialist N. Sandell overhauling the suspension and brakes, which included fitting new suspension top arm mounts and rear gas springs, front brake discs and pads, rear brake pads and brake accumulators.

Having received very light use over the past 20 years – the Corniche has covered just 6,000 miles since 2002 and 2,000 miles since 2014, and it appears to have been off the road between 2006 and 2014 – it is not surprising that it has not required a great deal of attention. Moreover, we do not think it is likely to require any particular attention anytime soon, either. Based on our own assessment and the MoT testers’ – this car has been MoTed six times since 2014 and never had an advisory note – we think it’s in very fine fettle indeed. The current MoT is fairly fresh, being valid until July 2026.

The only job the buyer may have to think about is getting the windscreen wipers going, as we were not able to lower them from the raised position when we saw the car, but we’re sure that will be a very straightforward task.

The Rolls-Royce Corniche was the height of luxury and quality in 1987, and it still stands head and shoulders above other cars today. This handsome example has many attractive characteristics, from its original interior to its impressive state of mechanical health, so you can start using and enjoying it straight away. 

Whether you fancy a picnic at a stately home or a long continental touring holiday, there can be nothing better than this Corniche to see that you do it in comfort and style.

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