Rolls-Royce Corniche#Corniche III

{{Multiple image |header=1939 Bentley Corniche prototype recreation |image1=1939 Bentley Corniche Prototype Recreation Front.jpg |width1=174 |image2=1939 Bentley Corniche Prototype Recreation Rear.jpg |width2=200 }}

The first car with the Corniche nameplate was a 1939 prototype based on the Bentley Mark V, featuring coachwork designed in collaboration with several third parties, most prominent of which acclaimed French designer Georges Paulin, built by Parisian firm Carrosserie Vanvooren.{{cite web |url=https://www.caranddriver.com/news/a28646631/1939-bentley-corniche-recreation/ |title=1939 Bentley Corniche with a Tumultuous Past Resurrected by Mulliner |last=Wendler |first=Andrew |date=8 August 2019 |website=Car and Driver |publisher= |access-date=2021-03-24 |quote=}}{{Cite magazine| authorlink = Geoffrey Howard| title =New Rolls-Royce Corniche|magazine=Autocar | pages =7–8|date = 4 March 1971}}

It undertook 15,000 miles (24,000 km) of endurance testing in Continental Europe before being blown up by a bomb at a dock in Dieppe while awaiting shipment back to England. No production model was ever manufactured because of the onset of World War II, but the company registered the name for the future. The{{nbsp}}unique car was fully re-created by Bentley's Mulliner division to join the company's heritage fleet; construction of the recreation was completed in 2019.

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{{Infobox automobile

| name = Corniche I

| related = Silver Shadow
Bentley T-series
Camargue

| image = Rolls Royce Corniche (1970) - 14619690073.jpg

| caption = Rolls-Royce Corniche convertible

| wheelbase = 1971–73: {{convert|119.75|in|mm|0|abbr=on}}
1974–79: {{convert|120|in|mm|0|abbr=on}}
1979–87: {{convert|120.5|in|mm|0|abbr=on}}

| transmission = 3-speed automatic

| body_style = 2-door coupé
2-door convertible

| engine = 6.75 L L410 OHV V8

| production = 1971–1987[http://www.rrsilvershadow.com/EMod/Mod.htm All 33 models, www.rrsilvershadow.com] Retrieved on 10 August 2013

| assembly = United Kingdom: London, England

| length = {{convert|203.5|in|mm|0|abbr=on}}{{Cite magazine|title = Autotest: Rolls-Royce Corniche 6,750 c.c.|magazine=Autocar | volume =141 | issue = 4042 | pages =36–41| date = 6 April 1974}}

| width = {{convert|72|in|mm|0|abbr=on}}

| height = {{convert|58.75|in|mm|0|abbr=on}}

| weight = {{convert|4816|lb|kg|0|abbr=on}}

| track =

| sp = uk

}}

The Corniche, available as coupé or convertible,{{citation | title = Rolls-Royce & Bentley: Spirit of Excellence | last = Wood | first = Jonathan | year = 2001 | location = Sparkford, Nr Yeovil, Somerset | page = 102 | publisher = Haynes | isbn = 1-85960-692-X }} used the standard Rolls-Royce V8 engine with an aluminium-silicon alloy block and aluminium cylinder heads with cast iron wet cylinder liners. The bore was 4.1 in (104.1 mm) and the stroke was 3.9 in (99.1 mm) for a total of 6.75 L (6,750 cc/411 cuin). Twin SU carburettors were initially fitted, but were replaced with a single Solex 4A1 four-barrel carburetor introduced in 1977.Wood, p. 106 De-smogged export models retained the twin SUs until 1980, when Bosch fuel injection was added.

A three-speed automatic transmission (a Turbo Hydramatic 400 sourced from General Motors) 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 licence by Rolls-Royce), at first on all four, but later on the rear wheels only. Four wheel disc brakes were specified, with ventilated discs added for 1972.

The car originally used a {{convert|119.75|in|mm|0|abbr=on}} wheelbase. This was extended to {{convert|120|in|mm|0|abbr=on}} in 1974 and {{convert|120.5|in|mm|0|abbr=on}} in 1979.

The Corniche was different from other Silver Shadows in that it had exclusive half wheel covers with stainless steel trim (for brake cooling), a 3-spoke steering wheel with a wood rim, and Rolls Royce's first standard tachometer.

The Corniche immediately became a status symbol for celebrities upon its release. Paul McCartney, Frank Sinatra and Tom Jones all bought one. David Bowie, Michael Caine, Elton John and Dean Martin put their names on two-year-long waiting lists. It has been seen in countless films and television shows from Beverly Hills, 90210 to Dynasty, and Dirty Rotten Scoundrels to The Player.{{cite news |last1=Brennan |first1=Patricia |title='BEVERLY HILLS, 90210' |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/archive/lifestyle/tv/1990/12/23/beverly-hills-90210/81d66b95-1226-45b1-b8f4-647d9b958e4d/ |newspaper=The Washington Post |date=23 December 1990}}{{cite news |last1=Miller |first1=Daniel |title=The Curiously Ubiquitous Range Rover |url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/lifestyle/style/curiously-ubiquitous-range-rover-272489/ |publisher=The Hollywood Reporter |date=13 December 2011}}

The Corniche received a mild restyling in the spring of 1977. Difference included rack-and-pinion steering,{{cite book | title = Automobil Revue 1991 | editor-last = Büschi | editor-first = Hans-Ulrich | publisher = Hallwag AG | location = Berne, Switzerland | language = German, French | page = 521 | volume = 86 |date=March 1991 | isbn = 3-444-00514-8 }} alloy and rubber bumpers, aluminium 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 fixed-roof 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 {{convert|240|PS|kW hp|0|abbr=on}} at just above 4,000 rpm for a top speed of {{convert|190|km/h|mph|0|abbr=on}}.{{cite book | title = Automobil Revue 1987 | editor-last = Büschi | editor-first = Hans-Ulrich | publisher = Hallwag AG | location = Berne, Switzerland | language = German, French | pages = 181–182 | volume = 82 |date=5 March 1987 | isbn = 3-444-00458-3 }}

The Bentley version was updated in July 1984 with a new name, the Continental,Automobil Revue 1991. p. 174 revised and color-coded bumpers, rear view mirrors, a new dash and improvements to the seats.

Production totaled 1090 Rolls-Royce Corniche Saloons, 3239 Rolls-Royce Corniche Convertibles, 69 Bentley Corniche Saloons and 77 Bentley Corniche Convertibles.

While the classic lines of the Corniche remains a symbol of wealth, Jeremy Clarkson mocked James May's Corniche as "just a Ford Zephyr with a chrome nose" during a Top Gear competition between his Mercedes 600 Grosser and May's 1972 Corniche I.{{Cite episode |title=Nissan GT-R |series=Top Gear |first=Jeremy (host) |last=Clarkson |network=BBC Television |station= |date=20 July 2008 |season=11 |number=04 |time=20:18 |language=English}}{{cite web |title=Grosser vs. Corniche: Old Car Challenge |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aVDKztQ-n1U |website=youtube |publisher=Top Gear |access-date=17 November 2024}}{{cite news |title=The property of James May 1972 Rolls-Royce Corniche Coupé |url=https://cars.bonhams.com/auction/24118/lot/68/the-property-of-james-may1972-rolls-royce-corniche-coupe-chassis-no-crh12347/ |access-date=17 November 2024 |agency=Bonhams |date=19 March 2017}}

File:1973 Rolls Royce Corniche 6.75 V8 (38656813351).jpg|1971–1973 Rolls-Royce Corniche coupe (Europe)

File:Rolls Royce Corniche (1975) - 8905478450.jpg|1974–1977 Rolls-Royce Corniche convertible (Europe)

File:1985 RR Corniche front side.jpg|1985 Rolls-Royce Corniche convertible (North America)

File:1971 Rolls-Royce Corniche DHC, right rear.jpg|1971 RR Corniche rear view

File:1973 Bentley Corniche coupe (20999057540).jpg|1973 Bentley Corniche Coupe

File:1974 Bentley Corniche DHC (US).jpg|1974 Bentley Corniche Convertible (US Spec)

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{{Infobox automobile

|name=Corniche II

|image=1989 Rolls-Royce Corniche II in champagne.jpg

|caption=1989 Rolls-Royce Corniche II

|body_style=2-door convertible

|engine=6.75 L L410/L410I OHV V8

|production=1986–1989

|wheelbase={{convert|120.5|in|mm|0|abbr=on}}

|assembly= United Kingdom: London, England

|related=Bentley Continental

}}

The Corniche II name was applied for the United States market from 1986 and for other markets from 1988. Anti-lock brakes were added for 1988, but air bags would not be available until the Corniche III. Also new for 1988 were some detail changes to the interior. Later in 1988 there was also a new reverse warning lens type and pattern around the rear license plate, as well as newly designed seats and redesigned instrumentation.Wood, p. 103

1,234 examples of the Corniche II were produced.

File:1988 Bentley Continental (21872966192).jpg

File:1988 Bentley Continental in green.jpg (US)]]

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{{Infobox automobile

|name=Corniche III

|image=Rolls-Royce Corniche (III) – Frontansicht geöffnet, 3. September 2012, Düsseldorf.jpg

|caption=Rolls-Royce Corniche III

|production=1989–1993

|engine=6.75 L L410I OHV V8

|transmission=3-speed automatic

|assembly= United Kingdom: London, England

|wheelbase={{convert|120.5|in|mm|0|abbr=on}}

|length={{convert|207.0|in|mm|0|abbr=on}}

|width={{convert|72.3|in|mm|0|abbr=on}}

|height={{convert|59.8|in|mm|0|abbr=on}}

|related= Bentley Continental

}}

File:Bentley Continental in black on brown.jpg

The Corniche III was introduced at the 1989 Frankfurt Motor Show with new alloy wheels, color-coded bumpers, a more advanced suspension system, air bags and MK-Motronic fuel injections. Minor interior changes included a revised dashboard, console and seats. 452 were made.

File:1990 Bentley Continental interior (airbag).jpg

File:Rolls-Royce Corniche (III) – Innenraum, 3. September 2012, Düsseldorf.jpg

File:Rolls-Royce Corniche III.jpg Akihito's parade car (1990)]]

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{{Infobox automobile

|name=Corniche IV

|image=1994 Rolls Royce Corniche - fvl (12827037275).jpg

|caption= 1994 Rolls-Royce Corniche IV

|production=1992–1995

|engine=6.75 L L410I OHV V8
6.75 L L410IT turbo OHV V8

|wheelbase={{convert|120.5|in|mm|0|abbr=on}}

|length={{convert|204.6|in|mm|0|abbr=on}}

|width={{convert|72.3|in|mm|0|abbr=on}}

|height={{convert|59.8|in|mm|0|abbr=on}}

|transmission=4-speed automatic

|assembly= United Kingdom: Crewe, England

|related= Bentley Continental

}}

The car was reworked for 1992 as the Corniche IV, presented at the January North American International Auto Show in Detroit.{{Cite book | title = Quattroruote: Tutte le Auto del Mondo 1992 | publisher = Editoriale Domus S.p.A | year = 1992 | language = Italian | page = 882 | location = Milano }} By this time production had moved to Crewe, in preparation for the 1994 closure of Mulliner Park Ward. Mechanically, the IV featured the four-speed 4L80-E automatic transmission rather than the previous three-speed GM400 unit. Adaptive suspension was also introduced. Visually there is nearly no difference between the Corniche III and IV except for a glass rear window replacing the previous plastic unit. The top mechanism was improved, no longer requiring manual latching. CFC-free air conditioning was specified, as were driver and passenger airbags.

In October 1992 a 21st anniversary Corniche was presented. Twenty-five cars were built, all finished in Ming Blue with a cream hood with a silver plaque on the dash.Wood, p. 107

In August 1993 engine power was increased by 20 percent.{{citation needed|date=October 2019}}

File:1992 Bentley Continental R Automatic 6.8.jpg

File:The Rolls-Royce Corniche "S".jpg

File:The dashboard plate of the last Corniche S ever produced.jpg

The last 25 Corniche IV models to be built, completed in the summer of 1995, were unique turbocharged versions and were called the Corniche S. They came with a dashboard plate, individually numbered (out of 25).

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{{Main|Rolls-Royce Corniche (2000)}}

File:2000 Rolls-Royce Corniche V in White, front left.jpg

The fifth series to bear the Corniche name made its debut in January 2000. At the time of its release, it was the most expensive vehicle offered by Rolls-Royce, with a base price of US$359,900. 384 Corniche V were made with the last 45 being designated as "Final Series" Corniches and production ended in August 2002, after Bentley had become a subsidiary of Volkswagen AG and took over the Crewe manufacturing site while the rights to the Rolls-Royce name and trademarks were licensed by Rolls-Royce Aero Engines to BMW, building their cars in a new factory built by BMW on the Goodwood Estate near Chichester, West Sussex.

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• Rolls-Royce Corniche I: 4,332
• Saloon (1971–1981): 1,108
• Convertible (1971–1988): 3,224
• Bentley Corniche: 140
• Saloon (1971–1981): 63
• Convertible (1971–1984): 77
• Rolls-Royce Corniche II (1988–1989): 1,234
• Rolls-Royce Corniche III (1989–1992): 452
• Rolls-Royce Corniche IV (1992–1995): 244
• Corniche IV (1992–1995): 219
• Corniche S (1995): 25
• Rolls-Royce Corniche V (2000–2002): 384
• Corniche V "Final Series": 45
• Bentley Continental (1984–1994): 421
• Bentley Continental Turbo (1992–1995): 8

• Rolls-Royce Corniche (2000)
• Rolls-Royce 100EX
• Rolls-Royce Phantom Drophead Coupé

{{Reflist}}

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• {{Holmes-UltConv | pages=134–139}}

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{{commons category|Rolls-Royce Corniche|position=left}}

{{Rolls-Royce}}

Corniche

Category:Cars introduced in 1971

Category:1980s cars

Category:1990s cars

Category:Coupés

Category:Convertibles

Category:Rear-wheel-drive vehicles