Rolls-Royce Corniche

The first car bearing 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 was acclaimed French designer Georges Paulin. It was built by Parisian firm Carrosserie Vanvooren. It underwent 15,000 miles (24,000 km) of endurance testing in Continental Europe before being destroyed 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 future use. Theunique 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. == Corniche I (1971–1987) ==

The Corniche, available as either a coupé or convertible, 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), with a displacement 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. 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 had a wheelbase of . It was extended to in 1974 and 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. alloy and rubber bumpers, an aluminium radiator, an oil cooler, and a bi-level air conditioning system. 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. The Bentley version was updated in July 1984 with a new name, the Continental. It received revised and color-coded bumpers, rear view mirrors, a new dash, and improvements to the seats. 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) == Corniche II (1986–1989) ==

The Corniche II name was applied for the United States market from 1986 and for other markets from 1988. 1,234 examples of the Corniche II were produced. (US) == Corniche III (1989–1993) ==

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 examples were made. Akihito's parade car (1990) == Corniche IV (1992–1995) ==

The car was reworked for 1992 as the Corniche IV, presented at the January North American International Auto Show in Detroit. 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 convertible 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 and a silver plaque on the dash. In August 1993, engine power was increased by 20 percent. Corniche S The last 25 Corniche IV models to be built were unique turbocharged versions, designated the Corniche S. Completed in the summer of 1995, they came with an individually numbered dashboard plate. == Corniche V (2000–2002) ==

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. Production ended in August 2002, after Bentley had become a subsidiary of Volkswagen AG and taken over the Crewe manufacturing site. 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. ==Production==

• 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 ==See also==