Rolls-Royce Corniche 6.8 Convertible, Caribe Aqua.

A car that drove less than 15,000 kilometers in half a century must be either completely neglected or absolutely perfect. Take a look at this extraordinary, unrestored (!) Rolls-Royce Corniche Convertible and let the looks do the talking. The more modern interpretation of the open Silver Shadow is a classic of the rarest kind. Literally, because only 77 (!) of the 1st series were built. And of course there’s not one quite like this one. The dazzlingly beautiful condition means that it’s not difficult to fantasize about a comfortable coastal route. Logically Rolls-Royce refers to an ocean with the name of the lacquer. But the truth is, usually we can only see this kind of blue in swimming pools. Obviously that wasn’t the case for the 1st owner though: from delivery place Fort Lauderdale, Florida, he had a clear view on the Caribbean. Shall we agree not to put the Corniche on the boat right away? We like to look at it for a little longer…

History

The Rolls-Royce Corniche descends from the Silver Shadow models, but it took a while before the British realized that the Coupé and Convertible deserved their own name. So the 1967 Rolls-Royce Silver Shadow Convertible is named Corniche Convertible since 1971. Of course, when perfection is your main target every detail takes a lot of time. Ask the builders of this Rolls: six months of hard work for only one car is pretty standard according to the iconic car manufacturer. With the greatest precision the grille was polished, the skin of the leather upholstery selected and the legendary “pinstripe” drawn on the sides. Talking about craftsmanship…
An important part of the history of our RR Corniche Convertible is included, among which the original birth certificate, manufacturer’s test report on delivery and various brochures. In February 1974 the car was sold by Rolls-Royce International to the dealer in New Jersey. The last known American owner came from Chesterfield, Missouri. In 2016, the Netherlands were next in favor of our customer.

Exterior

Favorable is also the design of the Rolls-Royce Corniche: looking at the masterful shape, the classy gentleman must have been kept in a closed, heated room all the time. The Convertible has sort of the same long bodywork as the 4-door Silver Shadow versions. Besides having 2 doors and a steel roof less than the limousine, the Corniche is known for its characteristic curl in front of the rear wheels. The stainless steel grille (polished for many hours) is huge, just as the size and quality of the model. However, the details of the British giant are so stylish that it doesn’t feel too showy at all. It’s more like a fine piece of engineering that everyone respects. Thanks to the Ocean Blue lacquer, the classic cannot be missed on the public road. Although apparently he rarely drove there all those years. The Cream soft-top and double Off-white fine lines reflect Rolls-Royce’s drive for perfection. But the biggest surprise is really on the inside…

Interior

To be fairly honest it’s only the windshield that tells us the bodywork isn’t extended right to the dashboard. The reason: its leather upholstery has the exact same Caribe Aqua color. It shows guts and taste, because the result is simply brilliant. The wooden interior finish is typical Rolls-Royce, but the rest of the configuration is mind-blowing different and we’ve got nothing but respect for it. The original instruments, radio and switches give you the ultimate nostalgia feeling. Never thought that a chrome-plated ashtray could have such an impact… The pinstripes on the outside of the Corniche Convertible are also reflected in the interior, pointing at the beautiful Magnolia piping on the seats, door panels and carpets. Heaven on earth is the Baroda Blue headlining. Sitting in the Rolls-Royce Corniche is an inimitable experience with leather as thick as Ian Fleming’s books. Details such as the condition of the strip along the trunk and the trunk itself confirm that the car has been used with all the care in the world. The color matching Aqua blue carpets seem to have rolled straight out of a classic living room.

Technique

And that’s not the only thing rolling smoothly. The 6.75 liter V8 runs strong and quiet. An automatic gearbox is included, but counting gears actually is a real challenge: the Rolls-Royce Corniche Convertible shifts unnoticed. Obviously, the emphasis is on comfort, although the 8-cylinder is very responsive when extra power is required. The Corniche knows no imperfections and drives the exact same way. You couldn’t ask for more when you’re determined to add quite a few miles to the modest 9,000 that are on it now. The car deserves it, that’s for sure.

Kind regards,
Prins Classics