Highlights

Very smart Corniche II with lots of recent work
Recent respray in original Vermillion
New Everflex fully electric roof
Over £20,000 of mechanical improvements since 2021
Desirable and reliable fuel-injected Corniche II model
New 12 month MOT just completed with no advisories
Left Hand Drive supplied new to USA

The Appeal

Corniche was exactly the right name for Rolls-Royce’s Silver Shadow-based convertible. Long, handsome and thoroughly relaxing, these big cruisers were perfectly suited to the scenic, winding clifftop roads of the South of France.

The firm improved the theme with the Corniche II of 1988, which added desirable - and much more reliable - fuel injection to the big V8, in the process increasing power by 14% to make it ‘more than adequate.’ Just 1,234 left the factory.

This car is an early Corniche II that was first registered new in Texas in July 1988. It then moved to equally dry and sunny southern California in 2001 before arriving here in 2017. It has had just five keepers in its 37 years.

The condition is very impressive. That is thanks to considerable work since its arrival in the UK. Highlights include a fully respray in factory-correct Vermillion - quite a stand-out colour - and a brand new Everflex electric folding roof. The mechanicals and running gear have been treated to over £20,000 of investment since 2021 via a well-regarded marque specialist. Work has attended to the suspension, brakes, gearbox and engine amongst other areas.

Naturally the car arrives on the market in very good condition. This is a magnificent example that will be perfect for European tours.

The History and Paperwork

First registered in Texas 10th July 1988
Factory built 30th June 1988 with factory paperwork confirmation
Five registered keepers from new
First keeper in Texas
Second keeper acquired car in 2001 and lived in Encinitas, Southern California
Imported to Uk and registered here in August 2017
Three registered keepers since arriving in the UK
Current keeper since September 2021
CARFAX data report confirms mileage and shows service history in photos
V5C in current keeper’s name
New 12 month MOT just completed with no advisories
Factory handbooks in very good condition as shown
Handbooks for Motoroloa car phone and Alpine stereo included and in good order
Typed list of maintenance from 2021 to 2023 shown in photos with highlights below
Recent work undertaken by the same marque specialist as shown in photos
Full respray since arriving in the UK and Everflex roof also replaced
Remote control audio controller
Several keys as shown
Always garaged according to seller
Various old invoies and MOTs as shown
Californian Certificate of Title
Last MOT expired 11th August 2024 with 98,083 miles on test and no advisories
Showing 98,358 miles in photos

Recent maintenance highlights:

Paint correction work in December 2021
Brake discs and pads, exhaust manifolds, suspension work and hoses September 2021 totalling £9,819 miles at 94,447 miles
Engine, gearbox and other work totalling £9,990 in June 2022
Fuel pump replaced August 2023

The Condition

Recently repainted in original Vermillion red and remains in very good order
Well kept paintwork with few indications of age, helped by recent paint correction work
Body panels are straight and well kept with no accident damage reported
Steel wheels with chrome hub caps with body colour fillets, all well kept
Underside in good order with no reported issues and no advisories on last MOT
Cream Everflex folding electric roof recently replaced and in very good working order
Paired with matching tonneau which appears to fit well
Extensive exterior chromework is bright and well kept
Very smart Parchment leather interior with red piping to matching exterior
Paired with reverse colour scheme red carpets with Parchment piping in very good condition
Smart veneers to dashboard and trim and all well-kept
Original Motorola car phone in armrest and remote control Alpine stereo
Features include electric front seats
Factory tool kit and wheel replacement kit in very good order including factory gloves

There is something appropriately majestic about this handsome convertible. Likely that is due to the lovely Vermillion paintwork, which shines brightly thanks to a recent respray and paint correction process. It is in very good order for a car of 37 years with few indications, if any, of age. The panelwork is similarly well-kept.

Beyond the classic, be-chromed lines, a Corniche is really about the interior, a sumptuously, hand-crafted place that should be as good now as it was when it left the factory, Thankfully this one is, showing few signs of use across its stylish Parchment leather, which is piped in red to match the paintwork. The quality carpets reverse the colour scheme and, like the extensive veneers and remaining trim, are a testament to this car’s handful of keepers.

A brand new Everflex roof and matching tonneau complete the sense of a very tidy and highly presented car.

The Mechanics

Classic 6,750cc Rolls-Royce hand-built V8
Later Corniche II with reliable fuel injection and extra power
3spd automatic gearbox with column shift
Extensive maintenance records including CARFAX report
Serviced and looked after by same well regarded specialist in recent years
His attentions include over £20,000 of work as detailed above
This has covered engine, gearbox, suspension, brake discs and pads, fuel pump and hoses
No reported running or driving issues
No mechanical or running gear advisories on last MOT
New 12 month MOT just completed with no advisories

Rolls-Royce’s V8 proved so good at delivering ‘adequate power’ that it powered the firm’s cars from the 50s until the new century. It continuously evolved, notably gaining more reliable fuel injection with the arrival of the Corniche II. The change also delivered a 14% hike to ‘more than adequate power.’ Thankfully, this early ‘II’ is so-equipped.

It has clearly lived a cossetted life. The mileage is very low for the year and its five keepers have attended to any work required - as a CARFAX report and subsequent UK invoices attest. Since 2021 it has been looked after by the same marque specialist who has undertaken over £20,000 of work across the mechanicals and running gear. You can inspect the details in the photos and we’ve summarised them above. The car has covered very few miles since the most recent attention.

There were no advisories on the last MOT - which expired in August 2024 - and no reason to suspect it wouldn’t easily pass another test. The vendor reports that the car is in superb mechanical order with nothing required of the buyer on purchase.

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