T his is a very nicely restored and beautifully presenting Rolls-Royce Corniche Fixed Head Coupe (“FHC”) finished in Masons black, black leather interior and matching black Wilton wool carpets. The body waist-rail is accented with a single grey hand-painted fine-line delightfully finishing off the elegance. In any setting the car takes on a very formal appearance. Once you open the doors, the matching black with the contrasting richness of the burl walnut wood throughout makes her striking in a very masculine manner. She is simply stunning.
This Corniche was originally purchased in Texas as part of a bespoke restoration for one of Park-Ward’s most esteemed clients. The project was completed some 6-7 years ago and is now back in our collection for sale.
When Park-Ward first purchased the car, prior to the restoration, it was straight and dent free. The paint was lightly blistered and faded but the body very straight, rust free and “dry”. The interior was dirty and dusty but complete. The car was a complete and running example – an original car that was just tired. Although an all-together example, this did not matter as our job was to “redo everything” and make her look new again. She did receive the full treatment which included a bare metal repaint, new interior to include leather, carpets (in the boot as well), new headliner, wood refinished and making sure everything worked both mechanically and operationally throughout.
The paint job is stunning. The car was stripped of all its fittings to include all windows (including side and door window frames) out and then prepped to bare metal. This revealed a rather straight motor car with no rust or previous accident repair. The car was meticulously repainted using modern 2-stage paint technology in Masons black. Upon reassembly we fitted all new body gaskets, clips, boot seal, and edge finishers. All the bright work was removed and machined polished and then hand polished upon finally reassembly. This included the grille, headlight brows, bumpers, side mouldings, rocker mouldings, door handles, hub caps, inner sill mouldings and door entry scuff plates including the fitment of new rubber treads. Some items, like the door handles and C pillar demarcation mouldings for the vinyl top were rechromed. The existing vinyl top was in excellent condition and retained.
The overall finish is as good as you would hope for. To complete the “new-look”, new tail lamp lenses and correct Lucas style headlights were fitted. A factory correct badge bar fitted to the front bumper. On pre 1977 Rolls-Royces, matching right-hand side door mirrors were not available. A door mirror from a right-hand car cannot be simply attached as the angle of reflection does not work, so a factory right-hand spec mirror was carefully modified and set so it performs as it should. The car now displays what would like a factory pair of right and left side mirrors.
The final touch being the pin-striping down the side of the car and hubcap beauty rings. Applied by the original hand-painted technique using only the finest squirrel hair brushes and performed by an artisan with the steadiest of hands. The fine lines were done in light grey to accent the light grey broad cloth headliner and provide a distinctive contrast to the new black paint.
The interior was subject to similar attention to detail. All new leather front seating in black was completed. The leather door panels were retained and the rear seat as these were in very fine condition. Specification correct light grey broad cloth wool was used for the headliner and all new Wilton wool carpets were fitted. This process also included new underlay. All the Italian burl walnut wood inside the car was stripped and refinished with no less than 20 coats of clear lacquer, each hand-rubbed between coats to provide a final glass-like finish. This includes the dash, front doors, rear seat inner waist-rails, door and window surrounds, rear ash-tray surrrounds and centre console. On the dash, the “Mulliner Park-Ward” badge was finished with the woods so as to create a flat glass like feel and finish. In the middle centre dash, a modern Blaupunkt stereo with all the modern features of blue-tooth and such like was fitted, whilst below, a small cubby storage was hand-crafted. This turned out beautifully and is the only non-original presenting part of the car. It was done very tastefully but should you want factory original, please enquire as we can do so. The door cubbies were fitted with factory correct style leather wrapped crystal drink flasks (new old-stock) with 2 matching hand-cut crystal shot glasses on each door. These were not available on the 72 year (later in 76) and so all had to be hand-crafted to match what the factory did in later years. In between the seats, a purpose-built cup-holder was installed. And, the final touch, black lambswool over-rugs were made and fitted throughout.
Before interior reassembly, everything was serviced to be fully operational; windows, seats, lights, gauges, etc. Every single instrument, switch, knob, handle was cleaned and polished before refitment. In some case, replaced if scratched or marked unacceptably.
The interior is stunning and its only down-side is the fear to sit in it!
The boot trim was replaced using correct early square-weave carpeting. Even the underfelt was changed. There was none of the typical rust scaling in the trunk so minimal refinishing was required.
Mechanically, the car was gone through top-to-toe and I could not possibly list everything here. Engine was top-end rebuilt, carburetors, all electricals, cooling system and the entire hydraulic system and brakes completely redone. For those who know this era of Rolls- Royce, this is a huge exercise and included; brake pumps, accumulators and valves, all brand-new hoses (both high and low pressure), reservoir cleaned out with screens replaced, brand new rotors, calipers, pads, emergency brake and height control. The system was then fed new 363, pressure tested and bled accordingly. The hydraulic/brake-work alone was some $15,000.
Nothing was left unattended; exhaust, suspension, steering, ignition, the electrical charging system, fuel tank, pump, filters and lines, I could go on for paragraphs. Of course, brand new whitewall tyres were fitted. Everything done has been documented. The car is ready to be driven and enjoyed.
As you would expect with a detailed restoration, all features and functions are working; electric windows, electric seats, central locking, etc. The air conditioning blows icy cold with the new alloy body 10 piston compressor which far out-performs the original GM A6 unit. Then with new hoses and valves having been fitted.
This Corniche drives very well, considerably smoother than you would normally expect for this model. Mileage is not verifiable but, given the monumental amount of work carried out, what does it matter?!
Every single feature and function is operating as it is supposed to and electrics have been checked right down to the smallest and insignificant dash and courtesy light. A total of some $130,000 has been spent. The major areas are:
The previous owner has exclusively used Park-Ward Motors for the maintenance of all his Rolls-Royce and Bentley motor cars for many years. This Corniche was no exception so all maintenance has been kept up to date by us.
As you would expect of a Rolls-Royce motor car to this standard, all correct tools, jack, owner manual and keys are complete and included.
~~ The Rolls-Royce Corniche is a rare and collectable motor car as few were made in comparison to the convertible. This particular example is one of those super rare finds where a huge amount of money has been spent on restoring her to correct and original specifications. It is an excellent purchase for a buyer who simply wants a top level example that is completely turn-key; ready to “go and show”. ~~
International buyers always welcome ~ we have sold and shipped 100’s world-wide.
~~ **Please note: All Park-Ward Motors’ cars, once sold, undergo a process known as “Predelivery Commissioning” which is a detailed procedure for bringing all service and maintenance up to date before shipping to you as the new owner. As an experienced and professional restorer and collector of some 45 years, we have our own in-house Rolls-Royce dedicated service facility with qualified craftsmen on hand. Although our cars have already undergone workshop inspection PRIOR to being offered for sale, once sold, it will be put thru our workshop to ensure all major and minor services are up to date, is mechanically maintained in good shape and all major features and functions are operating as they should. The “Predelivery Commissioning” process ensures your new Rolls-Royce is t
urn-key. This is all done at NO CHARGE. We do this even though the car is contractually being sold “as-is”. As a passionate collector of the marque I take great pride and pleasure in passing on any of these great cars to its next owner (“caretaker”). Who else selling a Rolls-Royce on eBay does this?! Depending on our work load, please allow approximately 21 business days for this process. For more information on the Park-Ward Motor Museum and our skills, please eBay message me and I would be happy to show you some 200+ Rolls-Royces restored to varying levels over the last few years ~~
For extra photos on this fine example go to the link below.
The photos are of super high resolution so if you right click on any, you can zoom in and see every little detail and defect in considerable detail.
Click HERE to see some 200 high resolution photos
Click HERE to see some 200 high resolution photos
