1972 Rolls-Royce Corniche

Rolls-Royce owners have always tended to be a loyal bunch for a reason, and that reason is quality. That’s exactly why this Corniche Mulliner Park Ward with a lovely history has been in the same family ownership since 1973! 

The car hasn’t seen significant action of late so there will be some light re-commissioning required. However, as described below in the History Highlights section, it has already had some remedial work recently carried out on its hydraulic system.

The invoice for this work, completed out by Reading Independent Jags and Classics, can be found in the car’s history file (see History Highlights section, below). It is dated 09/05/2024 and to the tune of £1035.34 for work carried out to the hydraulic brake and self-levelling suspension system, with a new accumulator valve body and a fresh seal fitted.  

The included V5c Registration Certificate confirms that four owners have enjoyed the Corniche since its 13/07/1971 date of first UK registration.
 

This elegant old girl underwent a full bare metal re-spray back in the mid-1990s and today it still holds up well in the present day. The paint finish is nice and uniform but it does have some blemishes, such as a one-inch scratch on the rear off-side wing and some light paintwork perforations just about the nearside passenger door handle. The car has been used though, so it wears these with pride.

Both front and rear windscreens are pleasantly free of delamination and are tinted blue. Brightwork is again generally good, with just one or two small marks present. That large imposing front grille is in fine fettle, though.

All four chrome hubcaps remain smart and are shod with matching Avon tyres, but we’d recommend the next owner checks the date stamps to ensure that they are good going forwards (and backwards!).

There’s no doubt that the Corniche is a car of two contrasting profiles, as it has a thoroughly imposing front-end but a remarkably discreet rear. However, perhaps our favourite has to be the elegant side profile with its subtle rear haunch sweep over the rear wheel – magnificent.

The Tahiti Blue leather interior is believed to be original and provides quite a striking cabin environment. It’s aided and abetted by light walnut veneers that remain in good, crack-free condition.

The leather hides, and there are a considerable amount, present well but would benefit from a feed – most notably, the driver’s seat. Talking of seats, the tilting mechanisms on both front items still work well – important for access and egress to/from the rear in a car endowed with Coupe bodywork.

Door cards are generally very good but once again, it’s the driver’s side that has seen most action and is a little scuffed in places. That too can be applied to the included Lambs wool overrugs. Some of the wood trims by the offside B-pillar is a little discoloured due to water ingress at some point in the past.

Up front, the original Radiomobile Long/Medium-wave radio is present, as is a Stereo 8 Radiomobile 8-track system and selection of cartridges including Diana Ross and the Supremes, Perry Como, Average White Band and Burt Bacharach, amongst others – period-tastic.

Out back, the large boot is trimmed in matching carpet that is a little frayed and discoloured. Underneath, you will find an almost complete original tool set.
 

Popping the bonnet reveals a clean engine bay; the under-bonnet sound deadening/heat-shielding remains in-situ, but is a little bit frayed in places. The big V8 sits in pride of place and fires up first time (see 3min 11sec into our Video Review, below) with barely a murmur, before quickly settling into a contented near silent tick-over. Under throttle it elicits a deep muted note that elegantly hints at the considerable torque levels available.

Underneath, the chassis looks to be nice and straight; there’s a touch of surface corrosion on the exhaust system and some suspension components, but generally all looks solid and protected. 
 

As well as the V5c Registration Certificate, you will also find the original Service maintenance schedules book included, which has multiple stamps in it both from its early and later life, as well as all other handbooks and instruction manuals (including an October 1969 RCA Stereo 8 Cartridges manual!) housed in their original folder.

A huge array of invoices can be found in the Rolls-Royce’s history file. These detail the works, replacement parts and maintenance that the car has received during in its considerable time with the vendor’s family.

An inspection report by Rolls-Royce and Bentley consultant Brian Bilton-Sanderson from August 20th 1994 is present, which was carried out just prior to the car’s bare-metal restoration. Detailed photographs of this process (the before, during and after) are also included.

It’s an impressive history file, with letters from Rolls-Royce dated 1971 present, and a real life story of the car.

Please visit the documents section of the gallery of this listing where you will find photos to support our claim that this car received a bare metal re-spray during the mid 1990s has been well maintained for the duration of its time with the current vendor’s family. 

Please note, the current registration shown on the car will be kept and the registration shown on the V5 is the one offered with the car.
 

With a lovely continual history with one family since 1973, this is a nice example of perhaps the most stylish Rolls-Royce Silver Shadow variant. It has sat for a little while so will require gentle re-commissioning, but it has had that recent work on the hydraulic brake and suspension system to ensure that it is functioning, as it should.

The family is retaining the current registration number and a new age-related plate, likely to be XUT 816J the number it wore prior to this, will replace it.  

With an estimate of between £22,000 and £26,000 you can now get into what was once amongst the most expensive new cars in Great Britain during the Seventies for a relative snip.

Luxurious, elegant and decidedly unruffled motoring awaits this car’s next owner.

Viewing is always encouraged, and this car is located at Bonhams|Cars Online HQ, United Kingdom; to arrange an appointment please use the ‘Contact Seller’ button at the top of the listing. Feel free to ask any questions or make observations in the comments section below or try our ‘Frequently Asked Questions’.