Rolls-Royce Corniche
Overview
Rolls-Royce Motors
Rolls-Royce Motors was created from the de-merger of the Rolls-Royce car business from Rolls-Royce Limited in 1973. The original Rolls-Royce Limited had been nationalised in 1971 due to the financial collapse of the company, caused in part by the development of the RB211 jet engine...
coupé
Coupé
A coupé or coupe is a closed car body style , the precise definition of which varies from manufacturer to manufacturer, and over time...
and convertible
Convertible
A convertible is a type of automobile in which the roof can retract and fold away having windows which wind-down inside the doors, converting it from an enclosed to an open-air vehicle...
version of the Silver Shadow
Rolls-Royce Silver Shadow
The Rolls-Royce Silver Shadow is a luxury car that was produced in Great Britain in various forms from 1965 to 1980. It was the first Rolls-Royce to use a monocoque chassis, a response to concerns that the company was falling behind in automotive innovation....
produced between 1971 and 1996. The Corniche was named "Silver Shadow Mulliner Park Ward
Mulliner Park Ward
Mulliner Park Ward was a bespoke coachbuilder in Hythe Road, Willesden, London UK.Mulliner now is the personal commissioning department for Bentley....
two door fixed head coupé
Coupé
A coupé or coupe is a closed car body style , the precise definition of which varies from manufacturer to manufacturer, and over time...
" (alternatively - drop head coupé
Coupé
A coupé or coupe is a closed car body style , the precise definition of which varies from manufacturer to manufacturer, and over time...
) from 1966 until 1971 when the Corniche name was applied. The exterior design was by John Polwhele Blatchley
John Polwhele Blatchley
John Polwhele Blatchley was a London-born car designer known for his work with J Gurney Nutting and Rolls-Royce Limited.-Career:...
. (The independent coachmaker James Young had already custom-made a two-door coupé
Coupé
A coupé or coupe is a closed car body style , the precise definition of which varies from manufacturer to manufacturer, and over time...
variant of the Silver Shadow
Rolls-Royce Silver Shadow
The Rolls-Royce Silver Shadow is a luxury car that was produced in Great Britain in various forms from 1965 to 1980. It was the first Rolls-Royce to use a monocoque chassis, a response to concerns that the company was falling behind in automotive innovation....
, but Young's model proved less popular and was soon discontinued).
The model was assembled and finished in London at Mulliner Park Ward
Mulliner Park Ward
Mulliner Park Ward was a bespoke coachbuilder in Hythe Road, Willesden, London UK.Mulliner now is the personal commissioning department for Bentley....
as continuation of the 1965 Silver Shadow coupe and 1967 drophead, with the Corniche name applied in March 1971.
