Rolls-Royce Corniche

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Launched in 1971 as Rolls-Royce's coupe version of the Silver Shadow, the Corniche was a superior car to the saloon on which it was based.

With fabulously elegant coachwork designed by Bill Allen, each and every one was handbuilt by Mulliner Park Ward in a necessarily lengthy process that took all of 20 weeks and resulted in a price some 50% higher than the standard Silver Shadow.

Only the very finest materials were used including Wilton carpeting, Connolly hide and the best burr walnut veneers, giving these cars a quality and glamour that surpassed that of the saloons. Engine power also went up by 10% increasing the top speed to over 120mph with acceleration to match. Tweaks to the suspension and steering geometry gave an even better ride and a new dashboard was also adopted.

The Corniche was progressively developed over time, gaining features like split-level air conditioning, rack-and-pinion steering, Bosch fuel injection and self-levelling rear suspension. Reassuringly exclusive, only 1,108 coupes were made before production ceased at the end of 1981, though a convertible version continued to be made as the flagship model in the Rolls-Royce range until 1996.

This fine looking specimen was delivered new by Lex Mead Manchester to H Arnold and Sons in Cheshire. Ordered in Caribbean Blue with dark blue leather upholstery, the first of its two service books shows six stamps to 1977 at which point it had covered 23,800 miles. Lex Mead initially cared for the car, followed by Rolls-Royce Service at Crewe and Hooper Ltd. The second of the two books adds a further seven services to 1986, by which time the mileage had risen to just 39,150 miles, an additional sheet showing yet two more services to 43,979 miles the following year.

Purchased by the vendor in 2004, its 30 old MOTs substantiate the current mileage of 62,600 miles, with further bills accounting for new inner and outer wheel arches and a glass-out respray in 2011. A new water pump was also fitted in that year.

It retains its period 8-track stereo and ran beautifully on the short journey to take the photographs. Little used over the last few years, it is due to carry a fresh MOT by the time of sale and still stops the traffic wherever it goes.