1973 Rolls-Royce Corniche Convertible

The Corniche, two-door convertible version of the Silver Shadow, has been, without doubt, the most successful convertible ever produced by Rolls-Royce. First introduced in 1966 as the Silver Shadow Mulliner Park Ward two door drophead coupé, it became apparent by popular demand that this version deserved to have its own model name so, in March 1966, the Corniche was born. The car used a silky smooth 6.75 litre Rolls-Royce V8 engine, mated to a three-speed automatic transmission and featured independent suspension with coil springs and hydraulic self-levelling. During its production run, a total of only 1,306 would glide smoothly out of the doors of Mulliner Park Ward.

Rarely do we offer a motor car that has such a comprehensive history file. Every detail of this car's life appears to be in there including the Confirmation of Order letter dated 4th November 1971 from official Rolls-Royce dealer J.D Barclay in Banbury to the first owner Mr. Sylvester, a gentleman farmer from Hampshire. Mr. Sylvester kept meticulous records and they include the original purchase receipt for the car dated 19th December 1972 for the sum of £14,541.85, which at the time was not insignificant bearing in mind a brand new E-Type Jaguar was around £3,000. In addition to confirming the car's original order specification, 'Nugget Gold, with black vinyl hood and black Anela leather', the receipt also details a full tank of petrol (100 litres) for the grand total of £8.50! The history file also includes two unused "Motor Fuel ration books" for use during the 1973 Oil crisis.

First registered on the 1st January 1973, Mr. Sylvester had the car regularly serviced regardless of his low usage and fastidiously kept every service receipt and invoice. The history file reads like a Who's Who of Rolls-Royce main dealers including J.D. Barclay, Rolls-Royce at Crewe, Phantom Motor Cars, Frank Dale & Sons, and Hanwells of London. Virtually every MOT and SORN notice has been carefully kept. Mr. Sylvester relinquished his thirty-year custodianship of the car on the 17th October 2013 but it remained in the family and was passed to his grandson Mr. Gwydir of Kensington. The car received attention at a number of highly regarded Rolls-Royce specialists during his ownership and when the time came to part with the Corniche, he entrusted Hanwells with the task and they immediately made contact with our distinguished vendor in April this year. Despite the car being generally in superb condition, our vendor asked Hanwells to commission all the woodwork to be repolished and, when it was completed to his satisfaction, he took delivery.

Presented to auction with an MOT until March 2017 and an odometer reading of just under 26,000 miles, this distinctive Corniche is effectively a 'one family' car and has patently lived a cossetted life.