Description
H&H Classic Auction @ The Imperial War Museum, Duxford/ Cambridgeshire
14th June, 2023 13:00
1982 Bentley Corniche Convertible
1 of just 77 examples manufactured
Estimate
£70, 000 - £80, 000
Registration No: NXI 104
Chassis No: SCBYD0008BCH02873
MOT: Exempt 1 of just 140 Bentley
Corniches produced between 1971 and 1984, with a mere 77 of which being
Convertibles Under 37, 000 miles from new (at the time of consignment)
Current ownership since 1999 and only two former keepers
Supplied with a history file including the stamped service book
Coachwork by Mulliner Park Ward The Corniche moniker was first employed in 1971 on the Coupe and Convertible versions of the Silver Shadow/ Bentley T Series. In common with them, the newcomer was penned by in-house designer John Polwhele Blatchley, and the underbody and floorpan crafted by Pressed Steel Fisher. The initial assembly was carried out by Mulliner Park Ward of Willesden, London - by then a wholly-owned division of Rolls-Royce. Power was provided by the company's venerable 6. 75-litre V8 engine that was mated to Propulsion comes from the standard Rolls-Royce 6. 75-litre V8 engine, which delivers its 237bhp through a GM Turbo Hydramatic 400 three-speed automatic transmission. The suspension was independent by coil springs all-round, augmented by a Citroen-originated hydraulic self-levelling system, and braking was provided by discs, with ventilated units being phased in from 1972. In 1977 a slight styling update followed the introduction of the Silver Shadow II and Bentley T2. The chief visual clue being the change from chrome-plated steel bumpers to alloy and rubber. Although all but identical to the Rolls-Royce save for the front grille and badges, the Bentley Corniche was produced in far fewer numbers. Whereas 1, 090 saloons and 3, 239 convertibles left the factory bearing the Spirit of Ecstasy, only 63 and 77 respectively bore the Flying B. A home-market, right-hand drive example, chassis number 02873 was supplied new by Jack Barclay Ltd., being delivered new on the 12th of February 1982. Finished in its original colour scheme of Georgian Silver paintwork complemented by Dark Blue leather interior upholstery, wood veneers and Dark Blue carpeting completes the interior appearance, along with a Blue hood. Riding on the original 15-inch steel wheels, with chromed Bentley ?dog dish? hubcaps and embellishers are shod with thin-band white wall tyres. Supplied new to an individual residing at Baskerville Road, Earlsfield, (with properties overlooking Wandsworth Park) SW18, the Corniche is known to have spent its time with the first owner between the London area and Lausanne on the shores of Lake Geneva in Switzerland. Acquired by the vendor (the third keeper) in June 1999 from esteemed Rolls-Royce and Bentley Heritage Dealers P&A Wood of Great Dunmow in Essex, there is an accompanying purchase receipt for his acquisition. Cherished while in the vendor's possession, covering a mere 10, 000 miles during his custodianship (to total less than 37, 000 miles from new at the time of cataloguing), the Bentley has been lavished with mechanical improvement in 2017 to the cost of some £3, 300 including braking system refresh, attention to the electronics, an overhauled actuator motor and engine fettling. More recently, benefitting from c.£9, 500 worth of enhancement comprising a new mohair hood and headlining, refreshment to the leather interior, and a large mechanical refinement was completed with well-renowned Rolls-Royce and Bentley specialists, Harvey Wash Ltd., with notable works including replacement gas springs, exhaust system enhancement, and other suspension attention, and carburettor overhauling. Offered with a history file that contains the original book pack comprising the wallet, owner's handbook, assorted booklets, and the stamped service book. The service book illustrates many services being completed by main agents and respected specialists, including Jack Barclay, (main agents) Garage Lausanne, and P&A Wood, with the most recent service completed roughly 2, 000 miles previous. Further included in the documents file are numerous previous MOTs, several invoices for maintenance and parts (many from P&A Wood), a formalised ?workshop report? log of work done in the current ownership, the bill of sale from P&A Wood, and a current V5C document and previous logbook copies. These beautiful convertibles with Mulliner Park Ward coachwork have a timeless elegance and this exceptionally rare Bentley example looks superb in its original colour combination. Anyone who saw one of these with the top down when they were first introduced would have found it difficult to conceive that an amalgam of steel, glass, walnut, and leather could have been formed into something so utterly desirable. An eye-catching example with very low mileage and ownership, this is an unmissable opportunity to purchase one of the most opulent convertibles of the 1980s.
