Body style: Convertible (spider/spyder, cabrio/cabriolet, drop/open/soft top)
Segment: Roadster & Convertible
Production years: 1971, 1972, 1973, 1974, 1975, 1976, 1977, 1978, 1979, 1980, 1981, 1982, 1983, 1984, 1985, 1986, 1987, 1988, 1989, 1990, 1991, 1992, 1993, 1994, 1995, 1996
4 Photos
The Rolls Royce Corniche drew its name from the 1939 prototype Corniche, while the French word would translate into a coastal road along the face of a cliff.
The Rolls Royce Corniche was a 2-door, rear-wheel-drive luxury car, available as a coupe or a convertible, based on the Rolls Royce Silver Shadow.
As the Silver Shadow featured monocoque construction, there was no separate chassis to be given to the coachbuilders, thus Rolls had to produce a completely new model.
The Corniche was developed by the Mulliner Park Ward, a British coachbuilder. It was launched in 1966 and was later relaunched as the Corniche in 1971 with some technical improvements.
Under the hood, the Corniche featured a Rolls Royce V8 engine with twin SU carburetors, mated with a 3-speed automatic transmission as standard, carried-over from GM. The unit was a 6.75-liter V8 engine that could produce 218 hp, with a maximum top speed of 210 km/h.
Starting with the 1979 model, the Corniche has featured a 4-wheel independent suspension with a hydraulic self-leveling system. Four-wheel disc brakes were standard and in 1972 Rolls introduced ventilated discs.
The Corniche was also sold as a Bentley, namely the Bentley Continental in 1984.
In 1981 when the Rolls Royce Silver Spirit went on sale, both Corniche and Continental were discontinued, after a total production of 1,090 units.
ROLLS-ROYCE Corniche I/ II/ III/ IV 1971, 1972, 1973, 1974, 1975, 1976, 1977, 1978, 1979, 1980, 1981, 1982, 1983, 1984, 1985, 1986, 1987, 1988, 1989, 1990, 1991, 1992, 1993, 1994, 1995, 1996
- 6.75L V8 3AT RWD (218 HP)
ROLLS-ROYCE Corniche I/ II/ III/ IV
6.75L V8 3AT RWD (218 HP)
ENGINE SPECS - 6.75L V8 3AT RWD (218 HP) | |
|---|---|
| Cylinders: | V8 |
| Displacement: | 6750 cm3 |
| Power: | 160 KW @ 4200 RPM 218 HP @ 4200 RPM 215 BHP @ 4200 RPM |
| Torque: | 325 lb-ft @ 1450 RPM 440 Nm @ 1450 RPM |
| Fuel System: | Mechanical Injection |
| Fuel: | Gasoline |
PERFORMANCE SPECS | |
|---|---|
| Top Speed: | 130 mph (209 km/h) |
| Acceleration 0-62 Mph (0-100 kph): | 10 s |
TRANSMISSION SPECS | |
|---|---|
| Drive Type: | Rear Wheel Drive |
| Gearbox: | 3-speed automatic |
BRAKES SPECS | |
|---|---|
| Front: | Ventilated Discs |
| Rear: | Discs |
TIRES SPECS | |
|---|---|
| Tire Size: | 235/70 VR16 |
DIMENSIONS | |
|---|---|
| Length: | 204.6 in (5197 mm) |
| Width: | 72.3 in (1836 mm) |
| Height: | 59.8 in (1519 mm) |
| Front/rear Track: | 60.5/60.5 in (1,537/1,537 mm) |
| Wheelbase: | 120.5 in (3061 mm) |
WEIGHT SPECS | |
|---|---|
| Unladen Weight: | 5357 lbs (2430 kg) |