Corniche (1971 to 2002)

The Rolls-Royce Corniche, manufactured globally from 1971 until 2002, represents the absolute peak of hand-crafted open-top motoring, serving as the brand's primary flagship for over three decades and evolving through five distinct series. This model was defined by its incredible production intensity, with each unit taking nearly half a year to build as artisans at Mulliner Park Ward meticulously tailored everything from the wool-lined power hoods to the cross-banded exotic wood veneers. In the 2026 Australian market, the Corniche is a definitive underdog to its competitors, such as the Bentley Azure or modern super-luxury convertibles; while it lacks contemporary digital interfaces and rapid acceleration, it offers an unmatched level of "old-world" prestige and a silent, floating ride quality that modern air suspension struggles to replicate. The local buyer pool is currently a sophisticated mix of traditionalists who prize the Series I and II for their classic chrome aesthetics, and a new wave of "restomod" enthusiasts interested in the emerging 2026 trend of high-end EV conversions for vintage chassis. Desirability remains exceptionally high for the final Series V models and the rare "Last of Line" editions, which are viewed as the ultimate investment pieces due to their extremely limited production run of just 384 units worldwide. Consequently, the market value of the Corniche in Australia has seen a robust increase as collectors recognise these cars as the final link to the era of pure, coach-built luxury, with pristine, low-mileage examples being guarded as blue-chip assets in the nation's most exclusive private garages.

The Rolls-Royce Corniche, manufactured globally from 1971 until 2002, represents the absolute peak of hand-crafted open-top motoring, serving as the brand's primary flagship for over three decades and evolving through five distinct series. This model was defined by its incredible production intensity, with each unit taking nearly half a year to build as artisans at Mulliner Park Ward meticulously tailored everything from the wool-lined power hoods to the cross-banded exotic wood veneers. In the … Read more