Vehicle Description
1979 Rolls-Royce Corniche Fixed Head Coupe
The first generation of Rolls-Royce Corniche, dubbed Corniche I,
were produced from 1971 to 1987 and assembled in London. Corniche,
as it turns out, is a French word for coastal road, such as Grande
Corniche along the French Riviera. All Corniches of this era were
fitted with a GM sourced Turbo Hydromatic transmission.
For consignment, a 1979 Roll-Royce Corniche, a Fixed Head Coupe, or
FHC. This coupe version of the Corniche is rarer than the
convertible as production on FHC's ended in 1982 while the
convertibles continued to be built through 1996. Per our consignor,
this car spent most of its life in California.
Exterior
The car is finished in Porcelain White paint, a respray of
approximately 20 years ago on a straight body and still gleaming
today. A legendary grille takes center stage, flanked by dual round
headlights in a chrome housing complete with a Rolls-Royce logo
badge on each side. The hood is set back, between elegantly rising
fenders and featuring contoured body lines that go from the edge of
the grille to the back corner of the hood. Naturally, the Spirit of
Ecstasy hood ornament presents with flawless perfection in line
with the condition of the chrome and other front metal work on the
car. The stately profile features a roofline with defined corners
and a vertical C-pillar and rear window. Amazing door handles run
parallel to the metal body trim piece over the rocker panels and a
thin, pinstripe on the waistline accentuates the slight rise of the
shoulder line of the car. 15-inch wheel covers bear the Rolls-Royce
logo and twin exhaust pipes, slightly fluted, exit subtly from the
back. Imperfections were limited to one paint bubble very low on
the car.
Interior
The original Biscuit Connolly leather wraps the interior and blends
with dark burlwood throughout, beginning on the door panel, robust
and elegant material assemblages that include a plush carpet footer
and chrome metal controls. Nothing but full bodied padding and
plush leather on the front bucket seats as well, showing a bit of
patina with hairline creases in the hide, while the rear bench is
immaculate and adorned with armrests, head restraints, lighters,
and ashtrays. Lacquered wood glistens on the dash where it
surrounds gauges, light panel, and ignition port as well as vents,
and covers the glove box and lower dash panel. There is no cracking
in the glaze, no hazing or broken pieces and our consignor states
this has been refinished to Rolls-Royce standards, and it shows. A
leather wrapped storage box sits between the seats while the center
stack features a Kenwood AM/FM/Cassette radio. As always, ultra
plush brown carpet adorns the floor and in more casual
circumstances we might say "toe deep," and a quality almost as high
end lines the trunk, walls and all, in brown carpet with tan
piping. Wool from the luckiest of English countryside sheep is used
on the headliner and visors, which are in immaculate condition.
Drivetrain
Pulling the bonnet forward, we find a very clean engine bay
including the insulation pads on the bonnet itself. It's here we
find the 6.75 liter V8 fed by 2 SU carburetors producing 170
horsepower that is routed through a TH400 3-speed automatic
transmission which terminates at the rear axle with 3.07 gears.
Power assisted disc brakes are equipped at all four wheels.
Undercarriage
Driver quality conditions prevail underneath where surface rust is
present in typical areas. Most notably, there are areas of visible
oil that includes caked quantities on a crossmember, oil sling
around the pinion gear, some on the steering rack and boot,
residual oil on the driver's side of the tunnel along with blowback
on the heat shield over the left exhaust pipe. The dual exhaust
meets stock style mufflers before exiting out back. Independent
suspension includes rear coil springs and the Spirit/Spur series
mineral oil hydraulics.
Drive-Ability
If the floors weren't covered with Wilton floor rugs, you could
hear a pin drop in the car, even with the engine running. Truly the
lap of luxury, the seats and environs are so relaxing, you almost
don't want to be the driver. That said, around the loop we go to
test functionality and are pleased to find most everything works as
it should. The high beams are not functioning and that seems to be
an issue with the switch itself. The brake fluid light is on the
dash. Beyond that, jolly good test results, old chap! While Classic
Auto Mall represents that these functions were working at the time
of our test drive, we cannot guarantee these functions will be
working at the time of your purchase.
Porsche already coined the ad phrase, there is no substitute. But
Rolls could have easily and confidently employed that line for
their brand. Quality is still measured by Rolls-Royce standards to
this day and try as they may, it's difficult to match the hand
picked and hand prepared materials that go into these hand built
automobiles. The grille has been copied a thousand times, but
there's simply no substitute for the real thing. He's a fine
example of a Corniche I with all the elegance you'd expect. So pick
up the horn, the blower, the dog and bone, and call the mall to
reserve your place in the lap of luxury.
Classic Auto Mall is home to more than 1,000 classic and
collectible vehicles for sale via consignment in a climate
controlled 336,000-square foot showroom (that's more than 8
acres!). The largest single location consignment dealer of classic
and collectible vehicles in the country is located in Morgantown,
Pennsylvania, just 1-hour west of Philadelphia off Exit 298 of the
I-76 Pennsylvania Turnpike. For more information visit
www.classicautomall.com or call us at (888) 227-0914. Contact us
anytime for more information or to come see the vehicle in
person.
With so many great cars, you know we have a lot to talk about, and
we do that each week on the Classic Auto Mall Podcast with host
Stewart Howden. Stewart discusses new inventory as well as trends
in consignments and car prices, while interviewing celebrities and
automotive professionals about amazing cars and their history. Tune
in each week to the Classic Auto Mall Podcast wherever you enjoy
listening. You can also watch on YouTube!
