Rolls-Royce Corniche

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Corniche
(1971-1987)

Years in production : 1971 - 1987

No made : 4,432 (of this 3,277 were convertibles)

Engine : 8 cylinder, 90 degree V configuration

Transmission: Rear wheel drive, 3 speed automatic gearbox

Chassis : 5 seater 2 door coupe, steel monocoque,
separate subframes front and rear independent front suspension

Dimensions : Wheelbase 119 1/4 inches

Performance : Max speed 125 mph (201 km/h)

In March 1971 Rolls-Royce presented the Rolls -Royce Corniche and the Bentley Corniche.

By extensive technical upgrading the two door coupes and cabriolets built at Mulliner Park Ward as derivatives of the Silver Shadow were revamped and given an independent identity of their own.

The coachbuilding process was done at Mulliner Park Ward by welding specially pressed body panels to the floopan of the Silver Shadow. From the coachbuilder in North London the raw coachwork was then carried by lorry to the Rolls-Royce factory at Crewe where all technical

1974 Corniche previously owned by me

assemblies were added and all treatment for extensive anti-corrosion work carried out. Final work was done by Mulliner Park Ward after the car had been returned to London.

Technically the two new Corniche models differed considerably from the basic models. One clear difference was thepower curve of the engine.A modified camshaft led to changed valve timing and a

resultant power increase. This was further increased by a changed exhaust system of lesser

resistance than that of the standard models. The airfilter's volume had been increased too and thus there was much improved breathing even at high revs. The sum of these efforts gave a power increase of some 10 per cent.

The term Corniche had Rolls-Royce reviving the name taken from the twisting roads of the French Cote d'Azur. This name had been used twice without the models concerned having the opportunity to be recognised by the public.

The sales of the new Rolls-Royce and Bentley Corniche were excellent. Rolls-Royce had not fallen into the trap of compromising by, for example, keeping the weight down to achieve a higher top speed.
Top speed was not considered a priority because in most countries strict speed limits had to be obeyed anyway.

The Bentley Corniche remained in production until 1984 when it was replaced by the Bentley Continental. The Rolls-Royce Corniche, however, was not replaced before 1987 in the USA and Japan only, a year later more generally, when it became the Corniche II.

The two Corniche models, which had been a sort of second string to the Rolls-Royce's bow when first introduced had, by the end of production, become a first rate success in their own right.