1978 Rolls-Royce Corniche Convertible

Rolls-Royce introduced the Corniche Drophead Coupe in 1970 as a convertible variant of the Silver Shadow and would remain in production for 25 years. Each example was built to individual customer order at Rolls-Royce's Mulliner Park Ward coachworks in London, taking over a month to handcraft. Inside, they were given luxurious Connolly leather.

This example was acquired by Michigan businessman Richard Kughn, who purchased this Corniche new from Estate Motors, of Birmingham, Michigan. It was finished in Silver Sand over Chestnut, with a being tan leather interior that was piped in black and surrounded by handcrafted burled walnut. It has factory air conditioning, an AM/FM radio, and an eight-track tape player.

Mr. Kughn took delivery from salesman Horst Ruschke on July 27, 1978. After spending time in Michigan, it eventually made its way to his winter home in Naples, Florida where it was occasionally driven and carefully maintained for the next 36 years. Currently, it remains in excellent, largely original, and well-preserved condition.

The car has been driven just 3,600 miles since new. The engine is an overhead-valve V8 engine displacing 412 cubic inches and offering 220 horsepower. There is a three-speed automatic gearbox and four-wheel disc brakes.

By Daniel Vaughan | Oct 2014