The Silver Shadow was hailed as a landmark model in the history of Rolls-Royce, arguably the most important in the company's long and distinguished history. With the long awaited adoption of monocoque construction techniques, the coachbuilt derivatives of the Silver Shadow were limited to a 2-Door in either fixed-head or convertible guise. Virtually hand-crafted by H.J.Mulliner Park Ward in tiny numbers, these fearsomely expensive cars were rebadged as the Corniche in March 1971, named after coast roads snaking around the French Riviera. The Corniche established itself as a model in its own right, distinguished by a new radiator shell with slight forward rake, new hubcaps and redesigned dashboard (with the first tachometer found in any Rolls-Royce). Other improvements were the new "Gamma" engine, developing around ten per cent more power (still described merely as 'adequate') thanks to the big bore exhaust and altered valve timing. A total of 3,239 of this model were built, of which just 1,108 were of the fixed-head variety before the Silver Shadow gave way to the new Silver Spirit in 1980, although the open-topped Corniche remained in production for a further decade or so. With values of the Silver Shadow now starting to firm up, investing in one of the much rarer and altogether more stylish Corniche derivatives makes excellent financial sense as they will ultimately appreciate at a faster rate than the more common four-door model.
2008 Shannons Melbourne Spring Classic Auction
