W hat can you say about this stunning combination Corniche convertible finished in bold but elegant Tudor red (non-metallic deep red ~ not bright-red) with hand-painted fine lines in cream to the waist lines. The Connolly interior is finished in cream with rich St James red carpeting and dash. The interior makes for an exquisitely striking combination with the exterior.
This Corniche convertible is a 2-owner car and was sold new in Dallas, TX and used most of its life in San Diego, California. She then traversed only some 6,000 miles in later years in New Jersey before coming to us ~ so she is dry and clean throughout. She is a very original presenting example owned for many years by a private Rolls-Royce enthusiast who regularly maintained the car. It recently came to us needing no cosmetic restoration, looking as she does today. The car is nonetheless subject to all major and minor services being undertaken by the Park-Ward Motor Museum – a nation-wide leader in Rolls-Royce restoration with some 40 years Rolls-Royce and Bentley experience.
This Corniche is 100% rust-free and very straight. The paint is in stunning condition and presents close to flawless. The finish is consistent, very shiny and deep lustered. The fine lines are hand-painted by a “craftsman of the art” to the waist-rails.
The Connolly leather is in excellent condition throughout without any notable marks or blemishes. It is finished in light cream with rich St James red leather to the dash and matching red carpets with cream piping. A truly stunning presentation. It is very soft and supple and actually looks much better in real life than in the photographs. Super inviting to look at and sit in.
*The adorable Connolly hide called “Vaumol” used on Corniche has NEVER been redyed so still shows its “toned” finish which is the original Connolly burnishing method unique only to Vaumol. If you look at the pictures of the interior, there are some close up shots clearly showing the colour is not just plain cream, but with a slightly “burnished” tone to the leather. You can see the cream base and then in the fine natural grain of the leather is a darker tone. This natural quasi “antique” leather look (like a Chesterfield couch) was achieved by the hand rubbing Vaumol leather technique that made Connolly leather so famous and for which its name now describes the correct procedure for refinishing leather – “Connollising”. Leather that has been re-dyed by typical methods is “mono-toned” featuring only the 1 primary colour. Please, if you like leather that you would see in a new Lexus then you will not appreciate this. Furthermore, purists pay big money for un-touched Vaumol hide so please do not ask us to dye as we will politely decline.
The burl walnut wood finishes are all original and have never been redone. This is further testament to the cosseted life this Corniche has had. The wood is excellent and presents well with only the most minimal hairline fractures and blemishes in the finish. Once again, very typical for Rolls-Royce of the era, but these are so minimal, we elected to not refinish and keep it original. The wood in this car is the Milanese deep burl walnut finish option and is breath-taking.
I think it is difficult not to describe the interior as anything less than striking! Please have a look at the photo link of the many close-ups of the leather. The dash is good with no leather pulling around the vents and the headliner very “clean”. The Westminster carpets are in very fine condition and well presented with the cream leather piping against the red. We think the car would like divine with a set of lambs-wool mouton “over-rugs” in matching St James red. These can be fitted at extra cost so please enquire if you agree. The boot (trunk) carpet with the same red with beige piping is also in excellent condition.
All glass, chrome and bright work are excellent. All lights, instruments, features and functions are in working order. A later model stereo was fitted what looks like some 20 years ago. I don’t like its appearance so if you feel the same, we would be happy to arrange changing to factory or something more updated if this is what you prefer.
The electric convertible top is in good operating condition without any tears and the back light (rear window) is perfectly clear without any sun-fading.
Mechanically, the car is subject to the 40 year service and restoration experience of the Park-Ward Motor Museum’s private workshop and trained RR mechanics and craftsmen. Like every other car delivered by Park-Ward it comes with everything in excellent working and operating condition, fully inspected and serviced. This includes the all important hydraulics & brakes – fully inspected and pressure tested with any parts replaced and/or over-hauled as required – reservoir, pumps, accumulators, valves, lines, hoses, calipers and pads. All electrics; seats, windows, gauges and instruments will have been fully gone thru and serviced as required. The climate control in good working order with the heater nice and hot and the air conditioning blowing icy cold. In summary, the car is shipped with everything fully operational, down to the smallest light bulb. Truly “turn-key”.
The car has a clean Carfax report and off-the-chart Autocheck score. The shown mileage is supported by both of these but to be honest, if I were to say the car had only 30,000, one would believe it. She is THAT clean and tidy!
The car is an extremely beautiful presenting example that is well in advance of similar year Corniches and is in excellent presentation and condition. A strong 10 out of 10 driver example.
~~ A striking combination Corniche convertible in its Tudor Red with beige & St James red interior. Truly a beautiful and a very fine representation of the marque. In my eyes, the car has a very strong “Florida” and “Hollywood” feel to it which will appeal to anyone preferring a Rolls-Royce that makes a statement! Although not show standard, by definition, it is very close to. And would certainly draw a lot of attention when driven to your next Rolls-Royce meet! ~~
International buyers always welcomed
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 additional photos!
Click on the link below for walk-around video of this Corniche
Click HERE to see walk-around video
Click HERE to see additional photos!
Click on the link below for walk-around video of this Corniche
Click HERE to see walk-around video
