1976 Rolls-Royce Corniche Coupe - SOLD
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Nothing else is as easily recognized as that vertical prow with the Spirit of Ecstasy perched on top.

For every 150 Silver Shadow saloons built by Rolls-Royce, they built only ONE Corniche coupe. An exceedingly rare body style that showcased Rolls-Royce’s hand-built artistry through their in-house coachbuilder Mulliner Park Ward, it was a flagship vehicle with only 780 built during the coupe’s 7-year production run from 1971 to 1977. They produced the Corniche convertible for another 15 years, so even those remarkable vehicles can seem commonplace compared to the coupe. You have probably never seen one in the flesh, but once you do, you’re sure to be smitten with one of the most elegant and tasteful coupes ever built.

This 1976 Rolls-Royce Corniche coupe, serial number CRE26626, was built near the end of Corniche coupe production and benefits from many of the “rolling upgrades” that were incorporated into the car during production. The bespoke bodywork may initially resemble the Silver Shadow sedan on which it is loosely based, but you’ll note the somewhat rakish (for Rolls-Royce) kick-up behind the doors, the lowered roofline, and the elegantly long—but never cumbersome—aluminum doors. In fact, the Corniche was often a test bed for upgrades that would find their way onto the Silver Shadow, and pieces like the bonnet, doors, and boot lid were all made of lightweight aluminum to help save weight. It may seem academic on a vehicle weighing 5600 pounds, but it contributes to the effortless feeling that is the Rolls-Royce experience.

CRE26626 wears what appears to be its original coat of Brewster Green paint, a color worn traditionally by British race cars so frequently that it came to be known as British Racing Green. It’s lovely in person, a deep, rich green with just a hint of yellow to make it interesting, and the fact that it looks this good after four decades is testament to the quality of the workmanship. There may be a few touch-ups and we believe that perhaps the roof has been repainted, but there is little evidence of it to distract your eye. The bodywork underneath is excellent, with straight sheetmetal and excellent panel alignment that is representative of the world’s finest motorcar and the doors, bonnet, and boot lid all swing almost effortlessly on counterbalanced and well-oiled hinges. A simple gold pinstripe highlights the dramatic body profile, but it, too, is tasteful, not ostentatious. Demerits are few, including some minor bubbling at the base of the driver’s side C-pillar near the gas door and some micro-blisters on the hood that might polish out if you use something more aggressive than we do. However, these flaws are quite small and require some dedication to find, so please don’t fear that this is a car in need of a repaint, because it presents beautifully as-is.

There is plenty of chrome and stainless trim, but it seems intentionally applied. Sources suggest that the Corniche has a slightly larger grille than the Silver Shadow, but if there’s a modern icon in the automotive world, this is it. Nothing else is as easily recognized as that vertical prow with the Spirit of Ecstasy perched on top. In fact, during a short test drive, we quickly found that driving this car makes it impossible to keep a low profile, as everyone from school bus drivers to ladies in minivans to distracted businessmen in their late-model European sport sedans noticed the Rolls-Royce gliding through traffic. I’ve never really experienced anything like it—not even a bright red Ferrari attracted this kind of knowing appreciation from such a wide cross-section of motorists. At any rate, all the brightwork on this Corniche is in excellent order, including the bumpers, the wonderfully heavy-feeling door handles, and the tasteful “CORNICHE” emblem on the boot lit. Of note, only the Corniche coupes received the rectangular back-up lamps and there is no body side molding as on the Silver Shadow. The only thing that raises my eyebrow are the tiny ‘RR’ emblems on the headlight housings, perhaps a little too much branding, but then again, why not show off a little? You’ve earned it!

Nobody else has managed to duplicate the experience of climbing into a British luxury car. Fragrant hides, plush carpets, and real wood veneers surround you with sensory overload. The color is called “Olive” and is just that: not quite green, not quite tan, but olive. That is original Connolly leather on the seats, and it has not been replaced but rather restored as needed. We treated the outer bolster of the driver’s seat because it was a little dry, and as you can see, it now looks almost new. The preservation is quite remarkable and ensures that the new owner experiences the same feeling of wonderment that surely accompanied the first owner back in 1976. Likewise, the carpets are original and so deep that you’re afraid you’ll sink in up to your ankles, and things like the dash pad and headliner remain excellent. The burled walnut dashboard has been refinished at some point, as have the rest of the wood pieces, and aside from some small cracks in the varnish on the dash, the timber is in excellent shape. Almost all the switchgear is chrome-pleated metal, not plastic, and all the controls feel substantial and precise, as if there was one fellow at the factory whose only job was to make that particular switch feel exactly right. You’ll note that the original (and ugly) 2-spoke steering wheel is gone, replaced by a handsome three-spoke Moto-Lita unit with the Rolls-Royce emblem in the center, and we think the upgrade is a good one that suits the car’s slightly sporting personality. Recent service work ensures that the A/C system operates correctly and the original radio with accessory 8-track player still pulls in stations loud and clear. Even the clock keeps good time! This car also carries a rare sliding sunroof, which includes a retractable sun shade to help protect the leather. And, of course, you get a positively massive trunk that’s as beautifully finished as the interior, complete with an original carpet set that shows no evidence of neglect or outside storage.

Rolls-Royce never published horsepower numbers on the six-and-three-quarter liter V8 engine, but the Corniche engine is rumored to be perhaps 10% more powerful than those found in the Silver Shadow. Still fed by the more desirable twin SU carburetors (instead of the universally reviled Solex 4-barrel), it starts quickly and easily, settling into an easy idle without any fuss, just as you’d expect from a car of this caliber. The engine has been properly serviced and runs superbly at any speed, and the low-end torque moves this large coupe with surprising vigor. The engine bay is clean and tidy and quite original, showing no signs of use in inclement weather but plenty of evidence that the car has been maintained over the years. The factory quilted blanket designed to control noise and heat remains in great condition and complex systems like the A/C and brakes have been recently and properly serviced at considerable expensive, saving the next owner any headaches in those areas.

What you may not realize is that Rolls-Royce used a General Motors TH400 3-speed automatic transmission, which was the only autobox capable of handling the torque of the 6.75-liter V8. No matter, because in this application it is smooth and unobtrusive, but parts and expertise are easy to find and quite affordable—a pleasant surprise for any Rolls-Royce owner. The suspension is all independent, of course, with auto-leveling in back so that the Corniche always presents on an even keel. Although this is a very clean, original car, the undercarriage does show signs of having been driven, so there’s grease and grime throughout, but no structural rust or other concerns. Shockingly, the front brakes are massive ventilated discs with TWO calipers per side, delivering staggering stopping performance that seems like overkill. The exhaust system is correct, using not one, not two, not three, but four mufflers of varying sizes and shapes to deliver that hushed but muscular exhaust note that never intrudes inside the car. It has been patched and fixed over the years, but keeping a correct Rolls-Royce exhaust system instead of replacing it with some aftermarket piece is always the right choice. The Corniche coupe also used bespoke steel wheels with surprisingly modest hubcaps and trim rings, with this car wearing fresh 235/70/15 Michelin whitewall radials.

Rolls-Royces are unique cars for unique owners, and I suspect that if you are reading this, you likely already know more about this car than I do. However, as an automotive enthusiast, I find this car exciting because of what it represents: unparalleled dedication to an ideal. Forty years ago, this was the finest car in the world and the fact that you can own it today (and it is still quite fine indeed) for pennies on the dollar seems remarkable. It certainly will require a dedicated owner, but it will also reward that owner with an ownership experience like no other.

There is still only one Rolls-Royce.

Vehicle: 1976 Rolls-Royce Corniche Coupe
Price: SOLD
Stock Number: 113126
Odometer Reading: 81,663
VIN: CRE26626
Engine: 6.75 litre V8
Transmission: 3-speed automatic
Gear Ratio: 3.08
Wheelbase: 119.5 inches
Wheels: 15-inch steel wheels with hubcaps
Tires: 235/70/15 Michelin radial
Exterior Color: Brewster Green
Interior Color: Olive leather
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