1979 ROLLS ROYCE CORNICHE DROPHEAD

Chassis DRX50275
Engine 50275
Bodywork 00258

- Exhibited at the Brussels Motor Show in 1980
- RREC documentation
- Delivered new in Belgium
- French documents

Estimate € 40.000 - 80.000

Named in honour of one of the most beautiful roads in the south of France, the Corniche was for almost 30 years one of the Rolls Royces most prized for its discretion and incredible elegance. One of stylist John Blatchley's latest creations, the Corniche reflected classic Rolls Royce styling cues, reinterpreting them in a sportier, less austere key.

Distinguished by a sportier character than the Silver Shadow saloon from which it was derived, the Corniche was the car of choice for customers who wanted to drive their Rolls Royces without sacrificing the elegance and comfort of these iconic British cars. Featuring a high compression ratio of 9.0:1 and a top speed of around 200 km/h, it was among the sportiest Rolls of the era and also the least quiet.

It was one of the most exclusive cars produced by Rolls Royce up to that time, and was only surpassed by the Camargue in price and exclusivity. In England, the waiting time for a Corniche was between three and four years, as priority was given to foreign orders, and within a few years the price of a new example rose considerably during production.

The example shown here, chassis number DRX50275, was specially commissioned for display at the Brussels motor show in 1980. According to the RREC documentation present with the car, the car was commissioned on 28 March 1979 in the colour 'Silver Sand RR.9510179' with the front bonnet painted in 'Beige 5021' and Coach Lines in 'Walnut' with leather interior 'Dark Brown 4273'. The car was optioned with a surround-sound radio, fog lights, white-shouldered tyres, a fully leather-wrapped dashboard and a badge bar in front of the radiator grille.

DRX50275 was sold to Royal Motors of Diegem in Belgium for 2,606.970 francs and delivered by train at the end of February in 1980, before being exhibited at the show that year. Not much is known about the car's subsequent history, but it appears to have remained in France since 1983, having been registered on 4 March of that year. The car has changed colour scheme and interior in recent years in the hands of the previous owner, changing from the two-tone Silver Sand / Beige on Dark Brown leather, to Dark Blue with white leather interior. The car was purchased by the current owner in April 2015 , it has been used regularly for short trips and has never been subjected to extended downtime. It has been lightly painted over the years and has undergone in October 2022 servicing work, including a petrol pump replacement. One of the Corniches with an interesting history, it is undoubtedly one of the most beautiful convertibles ever produced in England. Usable over long distances for holidays or pleasure trips, it is, today as then, a very classy choice.