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For the fifth-generation Corniche, see: Rolls-Royce Corniche (2000)
The Corniche was Rolls-Royce's coupé and convertible version of the Silver Shadow produced between 1971 and 1996.
The model was assembled and finished in London at Mulliner Park Ward as continuation of the 1965 Silver Shadow coupe and 1967 drophead, with the Corniche name applied in 1971. The Corniche was also sold as a Bentley, though that model became known as the Continental in 1984. The first car to wear the Corniche name was a 1939 prototype based on the Bentley Mark V which was never produced because of the onset of World War II.
The Corniche was available both as a coupé and convertible, with the former discontinued in 1982.
The car used the standard Rolls-Royce V8 engine. It had an aluminium-silicon alloy block and aluminum 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 6.8 L (6750 cc/411 in³). Twin SU carburettors were initially fitted with a single Solex 4-barrel carburettor introduced in 1975. Export models retained the twin SU's until 1980, when Bosch fuel injection was added.
A 3-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 in the rear. Four wheel disc brakes were specified, with ventilated discs added for 1972.
The car originally used a 119.75 in (3042 mm) wheelbase. This was extended to 120 in (3048 mm) in 1974 and 120.5 in (3061 mm) in 1979.
Corniche II
The car was mildly reworked in 1977 as the Corniche II. Alloy and rubber bumpers replaced earlier chrome ones. An aluminum radiator was substituted and an oil cooler was added. A drivers' side airbag was fitted for North America, while cars for other markets got anti-lock brakes.
The Bentley version was updated in 1984 with a new name, the Continental. The Bentley model had lost its closed coupe option in 1982, and all Corniche II's of the era were convertibles.
Corniche III
The Corniche III was introduced at the 1989 Frankfurt Motor Show as a continuation of the Corniche line. Anti-lock brakes were now standard on the 4-wheel discs. A 3-speed automatic transmission was also specified. The standard Rolls-Royce V8 engine continued. Bosch K-motronic fuel injection was used on the 1990-model Corniche and Continental. Bumpers were painted in the some colour as the body on the Mk 3.
Corniche IV
The car was reworked in 1993 as the Corniche IV. By this time production had moved to Crewe after the closure of Mulliner Park Ward. A glass rear window was now used, a major upgrade from the old plastic one. The rest of the top mechanism was improved as well, and now required no manual latching. CFC-free air conditioning was specified, as was driver and passenger airbags.
Production
- Rolls-Royce Corniche: 4347
- Saloon (1971-1982): 1108
- Convertible (1971-1987): 3239
- Bentley Corniche: 140
- Saloon (1971-1982): 63
- Convertible (1971-1984): 77
- Rolls-Royce Corniche II: 1226
- Rolls-Royce Corniche III: 452
- Rolls-Royce Corniche IV: 244
- Corniche IV (1993-1996): 219
- Corniche S (1995-1996): 25
- Bentley Continental (1984-1994): 421
- Bentley Continental Turbo (1992-1995): 8
See also
"Rolls-Royce Corniche"