Classic Rolls-Royces in a top-notch condition rarely go up for sale, and whenever they do, they tend to cost more than the proverbial arm and leg. This Corniche is not a bargain, but it only costs a fraction of the price of a new car made at the Goodwood factory in the UK.
It was born in 1981, which makes it a Series 1 model. Series II, III, IV, and V followed, with the last one rolling off the line in 2002. From here on, Rolls-Royce's open-top grand touring role went to the Phantom Drophead Coupe, which then evolved into the Dawn.
After the demise of the Dawn and Wraith duo, the British luxury automaker introduced the fixed-roof Spectre. This battery-electric high-end GT is longer and heavier than a Cadillac Escalade. It uses two of electric motors that generate a combined 567 hp (575 ps/430 kW) and 664 lb-ft (900 Nm) of torque for 0-60 mph (0-97 kph) in 4.5 seconds.
Now, we ventured a bit far from the topic, which is a 1981 Rolls-Royce Cornice that's looking for a new home. The classic open-top GT has a Willow Gold and Walnut exterior look, rides on classic wheels, features a beige rag top, and a tan leather interior with black piping. It's all analog on the inside, which is understandable, given that it was made more than four decades ago.
Photo: Garage Kept Motors
Under the hood lies a 6.75-liter V8 that is paired with a three-speed automatic gearbox. The engine used to pump out a little over 200 horsepower back in the day, and this was a heavyweight, weighing more than 4,800 pounds (~2.2 tons).
Described as a "pristine example of automotive opulence" and a "true gem," this Rolls-Royce Corniche is a Florida car, so it has spent many years under the sun. It has a recent maintenance history, lots of early documentation, and the usual lecture. At the time of cataloging, it had 7,944 miles (12,785 km) under its belt and looked squeaky clean inside and out.
The vendor, which is Garage Kept Motors in this case, hasn't said anything about a possible restoration, though we suspect it has been brought back to its initial shine. Either that or it has been obsessively maintained over the years.
For the last leg of the story, we have to talk about the Benjamins. You see, one can usually pick up a nice Corniche for around $50,000. The most expensive out there tend to venture far into the six-digit realm. As for this one, well, you are looking at $74,900 to make it yours. Is it a good deal? Would you buy it if you were shopping for a classic ride on a similar budget? Drop a line below and let us know.
After a series of unfortunate events put an end to Cristian's dream of entering a custom built & tuned old-school Dacia into a rally competition, he moved on to drive press cars and write for a living. He's worked for several automotive online journals and now he's back at autoevolution after his first tour in the mid-2000s. Full profile
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