Corniche
(1971-1987)
Years in production : 1971 - 1987
No made : 4,432 (of this 3,277 were convertibles)
Engine : 8 cylinder, 90 degree V configuration
Transmission: Rear wheel drive, 3 speed automatic gearbox
Chassis : 5 seater 2 door coupe, steel monocoque, separate subframes front and rear independent front suspension
Dimensions : Wheelbase 119 1/4 inches
Performance :Max speed 125 mph (201 km/h)
In March 1971 Rolls-Royce
presented the Rolls -Royce Corniche and the Bentley Corniche. By extensive
technical upgrading the two door coupes and cabriolets built at Mulliner
Park Ward as derivatives of the Silver Shadow
were revamped and given an independent identity of their own.
The coachbuilding process
was done at Mulliner Park Ward by welding specially pressed body panels
to the floopan of the Silver Shadow. From the coachbuilder in North London
the raw coachwork was then carried by lorry to the Rolls-Royce factory
at Crewe where all technical assemblies were added
and all treatment for extensive anti-corrosion work carried out. Final
work was done by Mulliner Park Ward after the car had been returned to
London.
Technically the two new Corniche
models differed considerably from the basic models. One
clear difference was the power curve of the engine.
A modified camshaft led to changed valve timing and a resultant power increase.
This was further increased by a changed exhaust system of lesser resistance
than that of the standard models. The airfilter's volume had been increased
too and thus there was much improved breathing even at high revs. The sum
of these efforts gave a power increase of some 10 per cent.
The term Corniche had Rolls-Royce reviving the name taken from the twisting roads of the French Cote d'Azur. This name had been used twice without the models concerned having the opportunity to be recognised by the public.
The sales of the new Rolls-Royce
and Bentley Corniche were excellent. Rolls-Royce had not fallen into the
trap of compromising by, for example, keeping
the weight down to achieve a higher top speed. Top
speed was not considered a priority because in most countries strict speed
limits had to be obeyed anyway.
The Bentley Corniche remained
in production until 1984 when it was replaced by the Bentley Continental.
The Rolls-Royce Corniche, however, was not replaced before 1987 in the
USA and Japan only, a year later more generally, when it became the Corniche
II.
The two Corniche models, which had been a sort of second string to the Rolls-Royce's bow when first introduced had, by the end of production, become a first rate success in their own right.