Rolls-Royce Corniche Convertible
The 1971 Rolls-Royce Corniche Convertible represents one of the most desirable open-top luxury cars ever produced, a hand-built masterpiece that was the flagship of the Rolls-Royce range for over two decades. Introduced in 1971, the Corniche was essentially a continuation and refinement of the Mulliner Park Ward two-door drophead coupe that had been built on the Silver Shadow platform since 1966, now given its own model name and a host of improvements.
The Corniche was powered by Rolls-Royce's 6,750cc V8 engine, producing approximately 240 horsepower. This engine was a development of the unit introduced in the Silver Cloud II, now fitted with SU carburetors (later Solex carburetors, and eventually fuel injection) and mated to a three-speed GM Turbo-Hydramatic automatic transmission. The power delivery was characteristically smooth and unstressed, with the engine seemingly capable of propelling the car at any speed without effort.
What distinguished the Corniche from the Silver Shadow on which it was based was the extensive hand-finishing of the bodywork by Mulliner Park Ward at their Willesden facility. While the Silver Shadow's body was produced by Pressed Steel, the Corniche's panels were hand-finished, requiring approximately 20 weeks of additional work per car. The result was a level of panel fit and finish that exceeded even the standard Rolls-Royce, with gaps measured in thousandths of an inch and surfaces polished to a mirror-like perfection.
The Corniche's convertible top was a complex, electrically operated affair that folded beneath a flush-fitting tonneau cover. The operation was slow and deliberate, but the result was a perfectly clean rear deck when lowered. The interior was trimmed in the finest Connolly leather with contrasting piping, with burr walnut veneers, Wilton wool carpeting, and all the luxury appointments expected of a Rolls-Royce.
Mechanically, the Corniche shared the Silver Shadow's groundbreaking independent self-leveling suspension system with hydraulic height adjustment, four-wheel disc brakes with dual circuits, and power steering. The result was a car that rode and handled with remarkable composure for a vehicle of its size and weight, providing the driver with a sense of control that was unusual for a luxury car of this era.
The Corniche Convertible was produced from 1971 through 1995, making it one of the longest-running production cars in history. Early cars like this 1971 model featured chrome bumpers, earlier interior trim, and the SU carburetor engine that many enthusiasts prefer for its character. Approximately 4,200 Corniche Convertibles were produced across the entire production run, making it relatively rare by modern production standards but well-supported by specialists.
The Corniche shares the Silver Shadow's complex hydraulic suspension and braking systems, which require specialist maintenance. Check for hydraulic fluid leaks throughout the system. The self-leveling suspension should be tested at all four corners. The convertible top mechanism should be operated multiple times to check for proper function. The hand-finished bodywork is expensive to repair or repaint to original standards. Verify the interior leather and wood are in good condition, as replacements are costly. The engine and transmission are robust but require regular maintenance. Early chrome-bumper cars like this 1971 model are generally more desirable than later rubber-bumper and fuel-injected versions.
Hand-built by Mulliner Park Ward at their Willesden, London facility on the Silver Shadow platform. The Corniche Convertible was produced from 1971 to 1995. Approximately 4,200 convertibles were built across the entire production run. Each car required approximately 20 additional weeks of hand-finishing beyond standard Silver Shadow production.