Arguably the ultimate 1970s and 1980s status symbol of wealth and success, the Rolls-Royce Corniche was sought after by many, but only the fortunate few could afford it. Designed and intended to be enjoyed by their lucky owners in warm-weather climates, each Corniche took four months to be hand-built, with two weeks spent on the convertible top alone. With a list price of over $200,000, each Corniche utilized only the finest materials Britain had to offer, including Wilton wool carpeting, Connolly leather, and carefully selected burl walnut veneer.
First introduced in 1971, the Corniche remained in production for nearly 25 years, during which time they were periodically updated to keep them modern and relevant. The Corniche II, the model’s first major revision, was introduced in 1977 and included new rack-and-pinion steering and alloy-and-rubber bumpers which replaced the earlier chrome bumpers, along with an oil cooler, aluminum radiator, and bi-level air-conditioning system.
This 1989 Corniche II is a one-owner example, having covered just 24,171 miles in 31 years. It is finished in the stunning shade of Silver Sand with subtle pinstriping and a beige convertible top. The interior is trimmed in beige leather with contrasting brown piping. It features numerous luxurious amenities highlighted by a beautiful wood dashboard which houses an upgraded McIntosh radio unit.
One of only 1,226 Corniche IIs produced, this well-serviced example remains in wonderful original condition and is among the most opulent convertibles of the 1980s.