2001 Rolls-Royce Corniche V

Please note the correct registration number is Y512 GFM.

By the 1960s, Rolls-Royce had finally accepted that many owners might actually prefer to drive their own cars, launching the Silver Shadow with owner-driver comfort in mind, and no doubt appreciated by those chauffeurs still in service. The two-door convertible version of the Silver Shadow soon followed and has been without argument the most successful convertible ever produced by Rolls-Royce. First introduced in 1966 as the Silver Shadow Mulliner Park Ward Two-Door Drop Head Coupé, it eventually became apparent, by popular demand, that this version deserved to have its own model name so, after a few cosmetic changes in 1971, the Corniche was born. Whilst the coupé was discontinued in 1980, the Corniche Convertible was produced until 1995, remaining largely unchanged cosmetically, with a production total of 5,678 convertible cars.

The purchase of Rolls-Royce Motor Cars Ltd by Volkswagen in 1998 may have raised a few eyebrows, but it secured the future of not just Rolls-Royce but also Bentley, a roaring success that surely would have pleased old W.O. himself. The licensing and production agreement between Volkswagen and BMW came to an end in 2003, and the two brands went their separate ways, with Rolls-Royce production moving to the new BMW-owned factory in Goodwood, launching the V12-powered Phantom later that year whilst Volkswagen spearheaded Bentley’s new chapter, one of the most significant relaunches of a brand in living memory. Only one new Rolls-Royce model was produced under Volkswagen holding ownership, the Corniche V, and the last Rolls so named.

Launched in 2000 with a list price at of £300,000, the most expensive car then offered by Rolls-Royce, the Corniche V has many unique distinctions, not least being the last V8-powered Rolls-Royce, with the 6.75-litre engine enhanced by a turbocharger borrowed from Bentley. Whilst sharing design elements with the Silver Seraph it was based on the Bentley Azure’s platform. The Corniche V remains one of the rarest models produced by Rolls-Royce and, out of 329 cars hand-built at Crewe, just 38 were produced in right-hand drive. Interior refinement and build quality remained as high as ever with lashings of leather and the finest of wooden veneers, and Rolls-Royce still remained the watchword for excellence. This delightful car was one of just 14 Corniches that left the factory in right-hand drive in 2001, finished in Royal Blue, trimmed in Magnolia leather with dark blue piping and topped by a contrasting dark blue hood.

Registered to Rolls-Royce on 5th July 2001, the car was bought by our vendor’s boss soon afterwards and serviced at the workshops of Sytner Rolls-Royce, also known as Bentley Manchester of Knutsford, Cheshire. The private registration number is to be retained and the original number Y512 GFM is likely to be reinstated. Presented to auction with the aforementioned service book, receipts and an advisory free MOT Certificate valid until 3rd July 2024.

Finished in possibly the perfect colour combination and with an odometer reading of 9,900 miles at the time of cataloguing, this rare motorcar offers perhaps the only opportunity to own a Rolls-Royce that is both old school and modern in equal terms, bridging the best of both worlds, and so rare that very few people have had the chance to admire the elegant coachwork in person, an omission that can be corrected by taking the opportunity to view this wonderful motor car prior to our sale.