Liberty Cars Classic & Iconic Inventory

The Rolls-Royce Corniche was a development of the Rolls-Royce Silver Shadow, with the two door variants of that model marketed as the “Silver Shadow Mulliner Park Ward two door fixed head coupe & drop head coupe” from 1966 until when the Corniche name was applied. The exterior design was by John Polwhele Blatchley. The model was assembled and finished in London at Mulliner Park Ward as continuation of the 1965 Silver Shadow coupe and 1966 drophead, with the Corniche name applied in March 1966. The Corniche was also sold as a Bentley, though that model became known as the Continental in 1984.

The Corniche, available as coupe or convertible, used the standard Rolls-Royce V8 engine with an aluminum silicon alloy block and aluminum cylinder heads with cast iron wet cylinder liners. The bor was 4,1 inch (104,1 mm) and the stroke was 3,9 inch (99,1 mm) for a total of 6,75 L (6.750 cc) Twin SU carburetors were initially fitted, but were replaced with a single Solex 4A1 four-barrel carburetor introduced in 1977. Desmogged export models retained the twin SU’s until 1980 when Bosch fuel injection was added. A three-speed automatic transmission was standard. A four-wheel independent suspension with coil springs was augmented with a hydraulic self-levelling system (using the same system as did Citroën, but without pneumatic springs, and with the hydraulic components built under license by Rolls-Royce), at first on all four, but late on the rear wheels only. Four wheel disc brakes were specified, with ventilated discs added for 1972. The car originally used a 3.042 mm (119.75 inch) wheelbase. This was extended to 3.048mm (120 inch) in 1974 and 3.061 mm (120,5 inch) in 1979. The Corniche received a mild restyling in the spring of 1977. Difference included rack-and pinion steering, alloy and rubber bumpers, aluminum radiator, oil cooler and a bi-level air conditioning system was added. Later changes included a modified rear independent suspension in March 1979. In March 1981, after the Silver Spirit had gone on sale, the coupe version of the Corniche and its Bentley sister were discontinued. For 1985, there were also cosmetic and interior changes. Corniche models received Bosch KE/K-Jetronic fuel injection in 1977. This engine, called the L410I, produced approximately 240 horsepower at just above 4,000 RPM for a top speed of 190 kilometers per hour (118 mph). The Bentley version was updated in July 1984 with a new name, the Continental, revised and color-coded bumpers, rear view mirrors, a new dash and improvements to the seats. Production totaled 1.090 Rolls-Royce Corniche Saloons, 3.239 Rolls-Royce Corniche Convertibles, 69 Bentley Corniche Saloons and 77 Bentley Corniche Convertibles.

This Rolls-Royce Corniche was originally dispatched to Garage De l’Athenee in Cointrin, Geneva, Switzerland on July 26, 1972. It was not sold before the 2nd of May 1973, when the car was delivered to the original purchaser. It’s being said the car was sold to the Danish embassy in Bruxelles and handled through the hands of Novarobel S.A. at Chaussée de Charleroi, 92a in Bruxelles for the Certificate of Conformity (CoC), which is still with the car. On July 19, 1984 the car was sold to the than 72 year old mr Kejsman (born 1912) from Grimbergen (Belgium). He kept the car for many years and the car remained in family possession until 2016. Recently the car was checked for Belgium APK (like TUV/MOT/CT). The odometer displays a total of 42,187 KMs which is believed to be original. The car is in highly original condition, with beautiful original leather seats and original carpets. In June 2016 the hydraulic system was overhauled, invoice of work carried out is presentable.

From December 2016 untill recently we meticulously went over the car. We did a very full and very complete maintenance on this 1972 chrome bumper gentleman’s coupe. Which by the way is the desired version. Technically the car is in perfect condition, with everything in working order. Carrying Dutch blue (taxfree) plates. She’s ready for old timer rally’s or just a relaxing Sunday drive and picknick. Invoices presentable.