This was never meant to be a review. The only reason I was behind the wheels of a 1980 Rolls Royce Corniche on this rainy Sunday was because I was helping my friend with something and he had possession of this car. We first talked about the car, then I took a closer look, then I started taking pictures, then he offered me the keys for a ride and well, here we are, doing a review.
Rolls Royce was always a brand that I was very curious about, especially its classic models, but was never brave enough to buy one due to horrifying maintenance stories. I always wondered, people make the Ferrari ownership experience sound a lot more horrifying than it actually is – perhaps Rolls Royce also aren’t as bad as people make of them?
The Corniche is based on its four door predecessor, the Silver Shadow. The Shadow is one of those cars that had way too long of a production period, it was released all the way back in 1965 and by the time production ended in 1980, it looked very, very outdated. It didn’t help that its replacement, the Silver Spirit, had a rather forward-looking design at the time (i.e. it was released in 1980 but its design looked right at home throughout the 90’s). As such, as a kid growing up during the 90’s I always thought the Shadow was one of the least attractive car ever.
Perspective has since changed, by a lot. The Shadow looks pure class now, with the round headlights surrounded by chrome, the small rear lights at the rear, the appropriate size of the car, and those lovely colour-coded/chrome hub cap wheels. Now with a sleeker and lower body and the deletion of two rear doors, the Corniche rejuvenated the classic lines of the Shadow when it was released.
Originally, between 1966 and 1967, the modifications from the 4 door Shadow to the 2 door version (both convertible and fixed head) was by Rolls Royce’s subsidiary Mulliner Park Ward. It was only in 1971 when Rolls Royce Motors was spun off from the suffering Rolls Royce jet engine business that Rolls Royce decided to release the 2 door version themselves, officially named the Corniche. From the side it looks like an Italian yacht with a beautifully curved line from the very front end of the car flowing all the way to the back, but not before a gentle elevation at the end of the rear window and across the rear fender. Personally, I like the fixed head more than the convertible we have today, but those are rarer; 1,090 vs 3,239, respectively.
The Corniche was produced between 1971 and 1995. Throughout the production period, there were four models produced. They were called, you guessed it, Corniche I, II, III and IV. The one we have today is a 1980 and therefore a Corniche I (Corniche II started in 1986). However, the one today already has had its front and rear bumpers updated from full chrome to half plastic half chrome. The particular car I am reviewing arrived in Hong Kong from the UK in 1987. It was originally in a very dark blue, but the current owner changed the colour to white when he put it through a thorough restoration a few years ago. The interior has been completely redone, and many of the engine parts were replaced, including the steering pump, radiator, and the dynamo generator. The carburetor, which is what the 6,750cc V8 uses, was also refurbed and retuned. Finally, the car also enjoys a brand new soft top.
What we have here is a very well sorted Corniche, and it drives like it too. Settling in the car, the seats are as big and as comfortable as it looks. The first thing you notice though, is how busy the dashboard is. Aside from the usual rev counter and speedometer, right in front of you and all within the radius of the steering wheel are also the aircon switches, the fog lamps, the ignition switch, the light switches, and a panel of lights showing different warnings. The panel of warning lights includes indicators for low fuel, brake fluid levels, engine overheat, and more. While this is common in older Rolls Royce’s, it is nevertheless a very new and unique display for someone like me whose driving one for the first time.
The ignition switch is pretty conventional, where you turn two clicks before trying to start the car. As the car runs on carbs, you have to pump the gas pedal a little while starting, but nothing dramatic. Immediately you notice the engine noise from the cabin. While it is not intrusive or disturbing, you do notice the carb’ed V8 rumbling under the bonnet. This was not something I expected – I thought it would be very, very quiet. However, the engine sounds nice so it didn’t really bother me. The automatic transmission is operated on the side of the steering wheel where the long gear stick sticks out from the gear selection indicator right on top of the steering column. The gear stick does not go down straight from P to D, but like a conventional automatic, there is a S-shaped track when you go down the gears.
The gas pedal was harder and heavier than I expected. Setting off, the car drives smoothly. The steering is as light as I expected. Coming to our first junction I noticed the one characteristic of the car that have left the biggest impression on me – the brakes. The Corniche/Shadow is known to have, at the time, very high-tech hydraulic brakes with two calipers on each of the front wheels, one for high level and one for low level braking. When stepping on it, the brakes felt floaty, but not in a mushy way. The brake pedal resists your foot in a wallowing way, so even when you apply a constant pressure on it, your foot is slowly wallowing back and forth as the car slows down. It is a very strange feeling, but the brakes generally work – just be prepared in advance and don’t expect it to be able to stop its 2 ton+ body quickly from high speed.
The power is very good. While not fast, the car shifts itself strongly and comfortably, even when going up steep slopes. Another thing that was applaudable was the handling. The suspension is very comfortable but they were not soft and incapable. Going into turns the car is steady, without throwing you to the side inertia pulls you. I was expecting it to be wobbly and leaning, but at mature and legal speeds, the car handles corners just fine.
In conclusion, the Corniche is everything you’d expect it to be, a luxury cruiser from the 1980s. Although I was a little disappointed that it was not even more luxurious in the engine noise and gas pedal departments. I must also recognize the fact that we are lucky to review this recently-restored example today – as I’d imagine lesser maintained examples would be much less of a joy to drive.
I am still not at the stage of buying luxury classic cars yet. However, if I had unlimited budget and parking spaces I would probably buy the Corniche just to tick that “classic Roller” box in life’s to do list.
Thanks to my mate for bringing this car out and of course the owner for his trust.
See our review video here: