Vehicle Description
FROM THE MISSOULA AUTO MUSEUM COLLECTION: Vehicle to be offered for Auction sale WITHOUT RESERVE and SOLD to the highest bidder January 19th - 22nd, 2017 at Russo and Steele's 17th Annual Scottsdale Arizona Auction at the Salt River Fields at Talking Stick. Please contact us for more information.
Introduced in 1965, the Silver Shadow marked a veritable revolution as the first Rolls-Royce model with unitary construction, disc brakes all around, and hydraulic self-leveling rear suspension. For more demanding buyers, the Silver Shadow line included a limited-production hardtop coupe and cabriolet, beautifully designed by Bill Allen and hand-built by Rolls-Royce subsidiary Mulliner Park Ward. Britain's most expensive automobiles at launch, these coachbuilt beauties were given their own unique identity and named 'Corniche' from 1971, with their new moniker inspired by the exotic roads along the French Cote d'Azur.
While the sporting, yet elegant Corniche represented a new direction for Rolls-Royce, its sheer presence and luxurious appointments left no doubt as to its maker. The Corniche coupe was eventually discontinued in 1982, with the cabriolet remaining in production through 1996. From launch, the Corniche was an instantly recognizable cultural icon, prompting buyers to gladly wait up to four years for delivery of their new Corniche! Delivering greater performance than the basic Silver Shadow, the 6.75-liter V-8 engine of the Corniche produced some 218 horsepower with a revised camshaft profile and larger-diameter exhaust system. While weighing about 5,000 pounds, the Corniche was a very capable performer with acceleration from rest to 60 mph in less than 10 seconds and a top speeds nearing 130 mph.
Offered in excellent condition throughout, this 1991 Rolls-Royce Corniche III is handsomely finished in Magnolia over a matching leather interior with complementary Tan piping and flawless wooden veneers. The Corniche III was a complete evolution over the Corniche II with many new features including, alloy wheels, a newly revised interior, advanced suspension design, air bags, and color-matched bumpers.
This lovely example has recently undergone a major service, including new front brake pads, new rotors, resealed calipers, an oil and filter change, with the brake system bled and two new tires installed. In addition, it is complete with a boot cover, tools, and manuals. A low-mileage example showing just over 43,000 miles, it is reported to have a clean and unblemished history. The Rolls-Royce Corniche is one the most recognized Rolls-Royce models ever made and this example is ready for a wonderful driving experience, with many luxuries for its next owner and lucky passengers to enjoy.
