• Year of manufacture 
    1981
  • Car type 
    Other
  • Lot number 
    r0010
  • Reference number 
    AZ25_r0010
  • Condition 
    Used
  • Location
    United States
  • Exterior colour 
    Other

Description

To Be OFFERED AT AUCTION WITHOUT RESERVE at RM Sothebys' Arizona event, 24 January 2025.

  • Amazing original condition; just 2,945 actual miles recorded at the time of cataloguing
  • Reportedly retained by its original owners until 2019
  • Striking color scheme of Tudor Red over Magnolia
  • Accompanied by service paperwork, books, and copies of build paperwork

Arguably the ultimate 1970s and 1980s status symbol of wealth and success, the Rolls-Royce Corniche was a car sought by many but one only the fortunate few could afford. Designed to be enjoyed by its fortunate owner 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 car was crafted of 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, and over this time, these cars were periodically updated to keep them both modern and relevant.

The Corniche offered here was finished in the striking, very era-appropriate color scheme of Tudor Red with Cream top, surrounding an interior in Magnolia leather with red carpeting and matching sheepskin floor mats and equipped with a digital thermometer and clock, Blaupunkt Frankfurt AM/FM stereo, and automatic climate control. On 26 September 1981, it was delivered by McGinnis Cadillac/Rolls-Royce of Houston, Texas, to Lorenzo Mejia of Mexico. Reportedly it remained with the original family until early 2019, then was acquired by a dealer in Texas, from whom the present owner purchased the car in December 2022. At the time of cataloguing, it had recorded only 2,945 actual miles, making it surely among the “newest” Corniches surviving.

Accompanying the car are the owner’s handbook, a trim sample book, copies of Rolls-Royce Foundation build documents, and the spare and top boot, as well as service invoices from previous and current ownership.

A beautiful and extremely well-preserved example of the iconic Corniche, in striking colors sure to draw attention and comment, this car represents one of the last truly coachbuilt Rolls-Royces, a bespoke masterpiece worthy of any collection of Flying Ladies.To view this car and others currently consigned to this auction, please visit the RM website at rmsothebys.com/auctions/az25/.


RM Sotheby's
5 Heron Square
Richmond
TW9 1EL
United Kingdom
Contact Person Kontaktperson
Title 
Mr
First name 
Augustin
Last name 
Sabatie-Garat

Phone 
+44-2078517070