1971 Bentley Corniche Fixedhead Coupe
1 of just 47 MPW Coupés made

Registration No: JYY 278J
Chassis No: CBH10512
MOT: Exempt

• Subject to an extensive mechanical and body refurbishment from 2012-2018 at the cost of c.£80,000
• Current ownership since 2018
• Subject to full leather interior retrim in Savannah Beige
• Understood to be 1 of just 47 MPW Coupés made
• Fitted with a Harvey Bailey handling kit and electronic ignition

"The name Corniche has been chosen for the latest coachbuilt models because it symbolises their higher cruising speeds and their ability to cover greater distances with the minimum of fatigue for driver and passengers," Rolls-Royce 1971

"The name Corniche has been chosen for the latest coachbuilt models because it symbolises their higher cruising speeds and their ability to cover greater distances with the minimum of fatigue for driver and passengers," Rolls-Royce 1971

Introduced in March that year, the Corniche was a revised version of the Mulliner, Park Ward-bodied two-door variants of the Rolls-Royce Silver Shadow and Bentley T-Series saloons, themselves notable as the Crewe factory's first unitary construction cars. In Corniche form Rolls-Royce's well-tried 6.7-litre V8 produced around 10% more power than standard and proved capable of propelling the car to a top speed in excess of 120mph with sports car-beating acceleration to match. The model proved a major success for Rolls-Royce; periodically revised and up-dated, it remained in production well into the 1990s.

Between 1971 and 1977, Rolls-Royce built just 47 chrome bumper Bentley Corniche fixed head two door coupes, which were handbuilt at the Mulliner Park Ward premises in Willesden, each taking 6 months to produce.

For much of the time that the Corniche was in production, a Bentley was regarded as little more than a slightly cheaper alternative to a Rolls-Royce. This famous marque had yet to re-establish its reputation as maker of some of the world's fastest and most exciting sports saloons and Grand Tourers. Consequently, the Bentley Corniche was produced in much smaller numbers than its Rolls-Royce equivalent, despite being – arguably – the more handsome of the two. Up to 1984, when the Bentley Corniche was renamed 'Continental', only 151 had been sold compared to several thousand of the Rolls-Royce version! These rare Bentleys have become much sought after today.

This example, the third production Bentley Corniche built, was first registered on 24^th June 1971. Following a full life and after 148,000 miles, the car was subjected to an almost £80,000 mechanical and ‘glass out’ body refurbishment by Nigel Sandell Ltd of Isleworth between 2012 and 2018. Between 2018 and 2020 a further £13,500 was spent on a full leather interior retrim in Savannah Beige, new carpets, new door seals, new wheel trims, hydraulic system overhaul and fine detailing. More recently an electronic ignition system with dry coil has been fitted, the oil filter changed to the more reliable spin-on type, all fluids changed and a Harvey Bailey handling kit installed. Now registering c.153,000 miles, the car is said to be “fully sorted”. Offered with substantial history file including invoices for the expenditure lavished upon it, we understand this rare Bentley will be driven to the sale.

“To view a road test of this car, watch the below "YouTube” video"

For more information, please contact:
James McWilliam
james.mcwilliam@handh.co.uk
07943 584760