1973 Rolls-Royce Corniche Coupe

The Rolls-Royce's final coachbuilder models were entrusted to the company's in-house coachbuilder Mulliner, Park Ward. Body styles were limited to just two, a two-door coupe or similar convertible. The coupe arrived in March of 1966 and the convertible followed in September of 1967. The cars were hand built using only the finest quality material, including Wilton carpeting, Connolly hide and burr walnut veneers. The process took 20 weeks for the saloon and slightly longer for the convertible. These coach-built vehicles were priced some 50% higher than the standard Silver Shadow's.

Powering the Corniche was the proven 6,750cc aluminum-alloy V8 engine offering around 10% more than the standard. Top speed was in excess of 120 mph. The cars were progressively developed; the Corniche received the split-level air conditioning system along with a re-designed fascia in 1976. In 1977, they received rack-and-pinion steering, introduced on the Shadow II range.

The Corniche remained in production well into the 1990s, the last (Convertible) examples being delivered in 1995.

This Corniche Coupe is a right-hand drive example that is finished in bronze with cream leather interior. It has UK-registration 'SWC 222M' and comes with Swansea V5 registration document.

In 2012, the car was offered for sale at the Monaco sale presented by Bonhams. The car was estimated to sell for €18,000 - 24,000 but bidding failed to satisfy the vehicle's reserve. It would leave the auction unsold.

By Daniel Vaughan | Jul 2012