Lot Ended
Description
1980 Rolls-Royce Corniche I
Lovely, facelift
fuel-injected MkI that spent some time in Japan with its former owner
before coming back in 2020 with a beautiful red leather interior and electric
soft-top
Supplied new through P.J Evans Ltd of
Dudley and dating from January 1980 this rather splendid Rolls Royce Corniche is
face-lift Series I example (Series I 1971-1988, face-lifted in 1979) and is
finished in White with contrasting black Mohair hood and sits on its original
15inch steel wheels with correct vented polished hubcaps
fitted.
Inside, we find a magnificent red
leather interior contrasting wonderfully with the white bodywork, which look to
be in super order as seen.
As a later series I Corniche, we also
find electric windows, electric windows, electric soft-top (buyers note the
switch is opposite (up = down etc), air conditioning, digital clock, outside
temp gauge, modern retro-fit touchscreen in-car entertainment and additional
90s/00s Sony Xplod stereo and traditional walnut trim.
Under the bonnet, we find the usual RR/Bentley 6.75 litre L410 OHV
V8 engine driving the rear wheels via three-speed Turbo-Hydramatic 400 (GM
sourced) automatic gearbox with column change.
This example shows just 12,705 miles which are not
substantiated. A note within the
history file suggests the car was originally finished in two- light and dark
Green with matching Green interior (VM3124), and when just three years old in
February 1983 the car was changed to white with red interior. A plaque on the door sill and also on
the air filter states P.J Fischer which our enthusiast and collector vendor
tried to investigate, but alas, Fischer’s records do not go back this
far.
We understand the former keeper, who
bought the car in 1987 took it out to Japan where it resided until our vendor
found it, bought it and brought it back to the UK in 2020, registering the car
back to its original UK plate NBF440V in summer 2021.
In addition to the above information within the history file, we
also find the V5C showing 7 former UK keepers, one old MOT, the current MOT
valid until August 2023 with no advisories, original copy build sheets,
information and correspondence courtesy of the Owner’s Club and a recent bill
for recent works undertaken totalling £2,855 at Classic Motor Corp RR &
Bentley Specialists on a recommission of the car following its importation back
to the UK.
The works undertaken include
sourcing a Mph speedo and conversion from indicated KM to miles (20,295Km to
12,632 miles) at import, two new rear gas springs, two new accumulators, supply
and fit rear hydraulic pump, fix hood operation, grease up, service and check
the car.
We also find copy old invoices for maintenance work dating from the
early 80’s on file from what looks to be the first owner with the mileage
recorded at 15,690 miles in March 1982 when the car had an A-service and
previous to that, another service bill at 12,071 miles in May 1981 in addition
to a range of others and the original order form for some £46,000 and warranty
sheet. (As a result, the actual mileage of the car is unclear, and we advise you
to make your own minds up).
Ready to be
enjoyed, this elegant drop top inspires all sorts of romantic visions of
glamorous getaways on the French Riviera with its dramatic scenery, glitz and
epic mountain driving roads from there the car gets its name.
For
more information contact - will.daniels@brightwells.com