Description
Kelham Hall | Newark, Nottinghamshire
Viewing: Tues 16th June from 12pm
Auction: Wed 17th June from 9am
Location: Main Street, Newark, Nottinghamshire NG23 5QX
1993 Rolls-Royce Corniche Convertible IV
One of 219 examples built
Estimate
£90, 000 - £110, 000
Lot details
Registration No: K583 YPG
Chassis No: SCAZD00A6NCH40074
MOT: T. B. A
1 of just 26 RHD Corniche IV examples made from a total production of 194 (excluding the 25 Anniversary cars)
Current family ownership for thirty years
Just over 34, 500 miles from new
Due to be serviced and MOT'd by a Rolls-Royce specialist in preparation for sale
It is often said the last of the breed is the most refined, and with over two decades of tweaking and perfecting under its belt by 1993, this is certainly true for the Corniche IV. Originally debuting in 1971, the elegant design by John Polwhele Blatchley proved to stand the test of time, as the exterior styling of the car went largely unchanged throughout its quarter of a century production history. The Corniche IV was the ultimate iteration of the original design; benefiting from the improvements of the previous three generations (including ABS, airbags, better ergonomics, and minor stylistic changes) as well as receiving a glass rear window, a power top that required no latching, and an improved A/ C system. Only 219 examples of the Corniche IV were produced and is therefore the rarest, most sophisticated, and most desirable Corniche.
First registered on 29 March 1993, this highly attractive example of the rare Corniche IV is understood to have been supplied new to the UK market, an unusual distinction for the model, and is one of just 26 right-hand-drive examples produced.
It is understood that the car was originally delivered to Alan Simpson OBE. As one half of the influential writing partnership Galton and Simpson, Simpson helped create some of Britain's most beloved television comedies, including Hancock's Half Hour and Steptoe and Son. He specified the car in an elegant colour combination of Ming Blue paintwork with a matching blue convertible hood over a Beige leather interior, accented by contrasting blue piping.
Precisely how long Simpson retained the Corniche remains unclear; however, following ownership by him and one subsequent keeper, the car was acquired by the vendor's father in 1996. Evidently cherished throughout his ownership, the Rolls-Royce was reportedly maintained on a regular basis by the Chelsea Workshop in London. He retained the car until his passing in 2018, at which point it was inherited by the current vendor, having been laid up for approximately two years. Unfortunately, much of the car's historical paperwork was lost during the administration of the estate, although the vendor intends to contact the Chelsea Workshop in an effort to obtain any surviving service records.
In 2021, the vendor commissioned a programme of recommissioning work, following which the Corniche passed its first MoT test since 2016 at 34, 304 miles. Since then, the car has seen only limited use, being stored in a dry garage and reserved primarily for fair-weather summer outings. As a result, the odometer displayed just 34, 658 miles at the time of consignment, representing an increase of only 354 miles over the past five years.
Given its infrequent use, the decision has been made to offer the car for sale. Prior to the auction, it will benefit from a service and inspection by a Rolls-Royce specialist, together with a fresh MoT certificate. The vendor will also endeavour to obtain additional historical paperwork before the sale, although this cannot be guaranteed.
The Corniche will be offered with its current V5C registration document, an invoice relating to the recommissioning work, a selection of previous MoT certificates, a spare key and the hood bag.
