Rolls-Royce Corniche III Convertible, 1991
Rolls-Royce Corniche I - IV
Rolls-Royce Corniche I - IV•
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Chassis No.: SCAZD02D3MCX30489
Auction: Monterey 2016
Auction date: August 20, 2016
Lot No.: F159
$70,000 | High bid
- Exterior: Magnolia
- Interior: Tan
- Body: Convertible
- Believed to be 23,000 miles
- Magnolia with Tan leather interior and convertible top
- Five volumes of factory workshop manuals
- Burlwood trim elements
Named for the Grand Corniche touring road between Nice and Monte Carlo, high above the Mediterranean, the Rolls-Royce Corniche began life as a prototype in the 1930s. The original car was based on the Bentley Mark V with coachwork by Carrosserie Vanvooren and withstood 15,000 miles of endurance testing in Europe before being blown up by a bomb in port awaiting its ship to England. The name was reintroduced in 1971 in both Coupe and Convertible form and was not for timid personalities. The Corniche, like most Rolls-Royces prior, exuded success, wealth, opulence and a grandiose nature.
The window stickers of the earliest cars commonly displayed pricing between $50,000 and $60,000 and deals were unlikely as Rolls-Royce found itself selling a respectable number of units every year. The Corniche largely became the ultimate symbol of affluence and accomplishment and particularly in the 1980s, it was the penultimate convertible to own. By the mid-1980s, these cars were retailing for nearly $150,000 but there was some justification. Under the hood was the venerable 6.75L V-8 engine backed by an automatic transmission delivering silky smooth power capable of hurtling the excessively heavy car to 60 MPH in just about 8-seconds.
Every conceivable accommodation and luxury was part of Corniche including acres of impeccably crafted burled wood veneers, nearly a herd of fine leather, a Stayfast top which was meant to last virtually forever with minimal attention and paint that looked deep enough to dive into. The majority of the Corniche was produced by hand, with only minimal usage of robotics, lending even more élan to the car. It was the statement of unapologetic hedonism and earned its way into the hearts of car fanatics the world over in absolutely no time at all.
Produced in four series, the 1986 model year brought about Corniche II with 1989 introducing Corniche III and 1992 ushering in the Corniche IV, the final iteration of the original style. Corniche V was introduced in 2000, after a five-year production hiatus, but it had a style reflective of the new Rolls-Royce lineup. Today, Rolls-Royce Corniche are hugely respected, admired and desired. This particular example is one of 452 Series III Corniche Convertibles produced and has covered only 23,000 miles since new. The surprising color combination of Magnolia with a tan interior and top exudes a sense of calm centeredness to the Corniche.
Considering the violent start the nameplate received in France, a calm centeredness is a welcome change. The sale includes five volumes of factory workshop manuals. – Contrary to the printed catalog description, the service records for this Rolls-Royce Corniche III will not be included
https://www.mecum.com/lots/244478/1991-rolls-royce-corniche-iii-convertible/
