The Rolls-Royce Corniche Series I was a luxury coupe produced by Rolls-Royce Limited from 1971 to 1987. It was designed as an open-top car with a retractable hardtop, which made it a convertible when desired and a coupe when the top was up.
Design and Features
The Corniche Series I had a longer wheelbase than its predecessor, the Silver Shadow, and featured a more formal design language. Its styling was characterized by a large front grille, quad-headlights, and a sleek, curved roofline. The interior was lavishly appointed with premium leather upholstery, wood trim, and a range of optional features.
Performance and Powertrain
The Corniche Series I was powered by a 6.75-liter V8 engine that produced 180 horsepower in standard form or 210 horsepower when specified with the "S" package. The engine was paired with a four-speed automatic transmission as standard equipment, but a five-speed manual gearbox could be ordered on certain models.
Specifications
- Length: 228.5 inches (582 cm)
- Wheelbase: 133.3 inches (338.7 cm)
- Height: 59.1 inches (150.2 cm)
- Curb weight: approximately 4,500 pounds (2,042 kg)
Production and Sales
A total of 8,530 Corniche Series I units were produced during its 16-year production run, with sales concentrated in the United States, Europe, and the Middle East.
Notable Variants
The Corniche Series I was also offered as a convertible, known as the Drophead Coupé or "Drophead" for short. This variant had a shorter wheelbase than the coupe and featured a distinctive retractable soft-top roof.
The Corniche Series I underwent several updates during its production run, including the introduction of power steering in 1976 and anti-lock braking (ABS) in 1982.
