Series I (1971-1987), Series II (1986-1989), Series III (1989-1993), Series IV (1992-1995), and Series V (2000-2002).

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In 1939, a prototype had been built based on the Bentley Mark V, and this became the first car to bear the Corniche nameplate. Its launch-date was scheduled for October 1939. But on September 1 World War II began with Germany’s invasion of Poland. And this very first Corniche was blown up by a bomb in the harbor of Dieppe in France as it waited to be shipped to England. Then Rolls-Royce moved to production of war material.

It mirrored the mechanical layout of the Shadow, but with even more lavish equipment. The new car was not marketed as a Corniche until March 1971 when it was decided to use a name derived from the French term ‘corniche’, meaning a coastal road. When it was launched, the Corniche was Britain’s most expensive car.

John Polwhele Blatchley had been born in the north London suburb of Hendon. At twelve years of age he was diagnosed with rheumatic fever and spent the next three years bedridden. During this time he sketched designs for cars and built models of them.

In 1989, the Rolls-Royce Corniche III made its debut at the Frankfurt Motor Show. The Corniche III had color-coded bumpers and improved suspension: the Corniche III introduced the Silver Spirit II’s Automatic Ride Control system which adjusted the springing and damping depending on road conditions and how the car was being driven to produce either the best ride or the best handling.

At Beverly Hills Car Club right now we have an outstanding example of a 1991 Rolls-Royce Corniche III.

This sophisticated and sexy 1991 Rolls-Royce Corniche III is an utterly gorgeous car, with a sparkling color scheme, featuring coachwork by Mulliner Park Ward and only 35,166 miles on the odometer. It is finished in its factory color Tudor Red which is gracefully complemented with a Parchment leather upholstery.

This example is one of only 452 Series III Corniche Convertibles made over the car’s 3-year production period. It comes equipped with an automatic transmission, 6.75-Liter V8 engine, four-wheel disc brakes, power steering, single exhaust outlet, power-operated cream soft top, Spirit of Ecstasy hood ornament, four-spoke steering wheel, chrome trim, Corniche III badging, Lambswool floor mats, four Wagner headlights, Michelin tires, Rolls-Royce branded hub caps, and a full-size spare tire.

Amenities include air conditioning, cruise control, power-adjustable exterior mirrors, power-adjustable & heated front seats, power windows, cigar lighter with an ashtray, power door locks, center console, vintage car phone, lockable glove compartment, AM/FM cassette stereo w/CD player, and sun visors with a vanity mirror on the passenger side.

Mulliner Park Ward was the coach-builder for the Corniche. Mulliner Park Ward was a wholly-owned subsidiary of Rolls-Royce: in 1961 the luxury car manufacturer had merged two of its coach-building companies: Park Ward of Willesden in north-west London, with H. J. Mulliner of Chiswick, both for long esteemed in the bespoke carriage trade.

It was this merged firm that was the source of the simmering beauty of the Corniche, in its assorted editions.

Extremely high-end in price the Rolls-Royce Corniche III may have been.

But what might you expect from a car that truly is the royalty of the road.

-Alex Manos, Owner