1983 Rolls-Royce Corniche Convertible

1983 Rolls-Royce Corniche Convertible
VIN. SCAZD42A9DCX07697
Engine no. 07697

6,750cc OHV V8 Engine
Bosch Fuel Injection
240bhp at 4,000rpm
3-Speed Automatic Transmission
4-Wheel Independent Suspension
4-Wheel Disc Brakes

*Delivered new to Palm Beach, Florida
*Fully equipped with the best amenities of the era
*Exquisite, hand-built Rolls-Royce Drophead
*Offered with CARFAX Report

THE ROLLS-ROYCE CORNICHE

Introduced in March of 1971, the Corniche was a revised version of the H J Mulliner, Park Ward-bodied two-door variants of the Rolls-Royce Silver Shadow and Bentley T-Series saloons, themselves notable as the Crewe factory's first unitary-construction cars. They featured the finest engineered technologies of the day, such as independent suspension, disc brakes in all four corners, and fuel injected power plants. In Corniche form, Rolls-Royce's well-tried 6.75-liter V8 produced around ten percent more power than standard and proved capable of propelling the car to a top speed in excess of 120mph with sports car-beating acceleration to match.

The model proved a major success for Rolls-Royce, and although its exterior style remained recognizably Silver Shadow, the Corniche benefited from the regular updates and improvements made to the contemporary Silver Spirit range. Remaining in production well into the 1990s, the last convertible examples were delivered in 1995.

THE MOTORCAR OFFERED

Completed at the Crewe based Rolls-Royce factory in February of 1983, this elegant Corniche Convertible was furnished new for the US market. According to copies of the factory records, the car was to be finished in Acrylic White with double Tan fine lines over Tan hides with Cumberland Stone carpets. Delivered through Palm Beach Imports in August of 1983, the first owner was Kevork Hovanian, an Armenian-American condo builder with a tony estate in Palm Beach. The original service book and additional copies in the Rolls-Royce Foundation's records show Mr. Hovanian was a careful owner who regularly serviced his car. Keeping his Rolls for seven years, the next owner was Dr. Alan Wein of Boca Raton, Florida and Haverford, Pennsylvania. Copies of receipts from his ownership are on file. The third owner, Mark Klein of Newtown Square, Pennsylvania, acquired the car in 1998. Keep the car until 2006, the penultimate owner was Paul Hathaway of Springfield, Illinois. The current owner purchased the Rolls in August of 2013 and has had the vehicle on static display since.

Showing nicely today with 27,910 original miles and retaining a binder of receipts as well as its original books and a clean CARFAX report, the Rolls is currently finished in gold with red fine lines—a paintjob that appears to be from new. Largely undriven for the past decade, mechanical recommissioning is necessary prior to active wafting about.

Offering stylish, convertible motoring for four, this Corniche represents a terrific way to experience this legendary brand.