32,500 Mile Fhc - 100% Original Unrestored Beauty - Very Rare & Collectable. on 2040-cars

Rolls-Royce

Corniche

 Fixed Head Coupe (“FHC”)

 1974

32,500 genuine miles in absolutely stunning original condition

 This is a totally original Rolls-Royce Corniche coupe, finished in desirable Mason's black with biscuit tan Connolly hide leather interior. The coach work waist-rails are finished in hand-painted lines of fine gold/tan.

This is an amazing COMPLETELY ORIGINAL condition example with a breathtaking 32,500 miles from only 2 owners. The last owner being a collector having caretaken her for more than 25 years.

These 2 door coupes are rare and "extremely rare" in this condition. Remember, only 1 hard-top coupe was ever made for every convertible. And, production of the fixed head coupe ceased in 1982 whereas the convertible continued right though to 1996. The coupe was made somewhat famous by Steve McQueen who drove it in the hit 1968 film; “The Thomas Crown Affair” starring McQueen along with Faye Dunawaye. 

  
"The Thomas Crown Affair" - Norman Jewison - 1968

This is an entirely unmolested and original example that is difficult to describe in words. Never restored and simply cosseted its whole life. Completely original factory paint, 100% original interior without so much as even a touch up on the seats or other leather finishes, the wood's original French polishing lacquer is in great condition, carpets like new and a headliner that looks like it was installed yesterday - but indeed, also original. 

As importantly, it has been maintained meticulously. Although rarely driven, the car was kept in a museum under the eye of a Rolls-Royce caretaker who regularly maintained the car. When it arrived to us, it fired up immediately and purred on our maiden test drive.  A Canadian car that was never driven in inclement weather (and it shows), always climate control stored.

The car today, is in exemplary condition. Very straight, very clean, very true in all characteristics Rolls-Royce. The paint is deep in lustre and shine and is entirely consistent. There are some small signs of the factory blends because of the paint age. Back in the days, Rolls-Royce would have to do small touch-ups as the cars got marked during the hand-building process. Being single stage paint, the cars would be sent back thru the paint shop to address these. Some of these are now showing and for the purist, are a clear sign of originality. These are very minor, though, and are limited to only a few select places and not objectionable. Importantly, they do NOT detract from the cars high calibre of presentation.

The interior remains virtually perfect and is an outstanding feature on this 2-door coupe. All the wood is completely original and looks fantastic. There are a few small hairline lacquer lines on the door cappings but minor enough to warrant leaving and for one to embrace the knowledge of it being factory original. The  window surrounds, carpet and roof-lining, are in immaculate condition. The Connolly hide leather is stunning. Never been redyed and not so much as even a touch-up, showing its original Connolly hide signature finish. Connolly leather has a 2-tone effect with a darker dressing in the depths of the grain. If you are familiar with Cognac leather in early Mercedes, you will understand this description, but with the Rolls-Royce leather, the effect being more subtle. Any form of redying, loses this burnished grain effect. This Corniche shows it off well with just the right amount of patina to look like, and feel like, a high-end Chesterfield couch. So inviting you want to just sit in it for no reason. This is an example that looks like it is only a few years old. Certainly not 40!

The car has every option fitted to include the RR insignia wood steering wheel (only fitted to Corniche), top of the line radio and stereo units including a Blaupunkt dictaphone which was amazingly avant-garde in its time, and factory option air-horns that can be selected over the traditional horn by a flick of a switch. It also has the Lucas front spotlights, with covers fitted.

Mechanically the car demonstrates all the hallmarks of a well maintained example. Technically superb with all brakes/hydraulics working well. Suspension heights are correct which presented lower on the back with these earlier Corniches. The car drives really smooth, without any bumps, rattles or knocks. It truly glides and “floats” like the Shadow and Corniches of this era were designed and built to do. Testament of its well maintained history is the cleanliness under the hood. Not detailed but appropriately maintained. The trunk presents just as well without so much as mark in the Wilton wool carpet.

All external bright-work is well above standard and lights and lenses like new. The car is simply stunning to admire as well as drive. 

For many extra photos on this fine example go to the link below, where you can click on each individual photo to see a very high resolution picture to examine in detail any single aspect and/or defect:

Click HERE to see some 150 high resolution photos

 

A note from RRMOTORSINC:

For those Rolls-Royce enthusiasts who have followed my auctions in the past I welcome you all. For those who are new to my adverts and/or the marque, please note that as a serious collector of some 30 years, all my cars are truly described examples. I have my own private Rolls-Royce workshop (not open to the public but dedicated to my own cars and fellow RR entusiasts) with trained Rolls-Royce craftsmen who are proficient in all aspects. As a team, we are dedicated to the preservation of the marque and as such, any car that leaves the stable is completely inspected and work-shopped to ensure mechanical and operational items are maintained appropriately. We adopt a “keep it original” mentality with pride and confidence, offering after sales technical support and assistance well beyond the sale. Because most of my cars are offered for the pleasures of driving enjoyment it is not always possible or practical to seek perfection (in the true sense of the word) but we do always uphold excellence in whatever we do. Our cars are by no means cheap priced cars but we like to think they are amongst the best. To this end, I firmly believe in the famous adage; “Quality is remembered long after the price is forgotten.” We hope you do too.”

We at Park-Ward Motors – the things we do.

When our Rolls-Royces are commissioned for resale, they are indeed professionally and correctly “fully work-shopped”. No corners are cut. And it is all addressed in true Crewe tradition. There is way too much to list here but to give you an example of our commitment to excellence of  the various processes, this is one such example of what we do:

Doors and windows:-

Every car has its interior door panels removed. If the wood is in need of repair (as most are) it is refinished in-house by trained and talented craftsmen at Park-Ward Motors. This is a detailed process of stripping the wood of its old lacquer, repairing the veneer if there is damage, staining the top surface as per Rolls-Royce methodology and refinishing with no less than 25 coats of clear lacquer. Hand wet-sanded and polished between all of its last 15 coats. New window felt guides and wood-to-glass foam seals are fitted. All window mechanisms are checked and serviced for smooth and efficient up and down movement. This includes an electrical modification to rectify the typical “slow window syndrome”. All tracks, chains and gears are lubricated. Where central locking is fitted, these are all serviced to ensure no “solenoid sticking”, another common problem. Units are repaired and or changed as required for refurbished units. Door wiring and door-to-body wiring is checked, repaired and/or replaced as required. The splash plastic on the inside of the doors to protect the leather panels from rain splash from inside the door is replaced with correct specification black plastic as used by the factory. Cut to shape and glued in position as per original. All door hardware is checked and repaired as required including locks, handles and scuttle finishes. The door is reassembled with all items cleaned and polished. The wood refitted and the leather panels are re-Connollised before final fitment. 

Take this example and apply it to the many, many different aspects of Rolls-Royce restoration, service and maintenance and you have our dedication to correct and professional vehicle pre-delivery preparation and commissioning.

**PLEASE read auction terms and conditions below BEFORE bidding.**

~~ Important note: the $2,000 deposit is due within 24 hours. If not paid, or if no contact is received within that period, we reserve the right to offer the car to any other party.~~

~~oo00oo~~

This Rolls-Royce is part of a private collection. Although licensed and bonded, I am not a main-stream retail car dealer or broker; I am a professional car collector of some 30 years with considerable experience and knowledge of Rolls-Royce and Bentley Motor Cars. I have a long standing reputation being associated with the marque which I take seriously. I take pride in my cars and have fun in collecting and restoring them. However, auctions are not a game so when you place a bid or offer, and you are the winning bidder, please understand you have entered a binding contract. You cannot bid and win the auction and expect not to meet the terms and conditions. Bidding and/or winning does not mean you are expecting me to “hold” the car until you have the opportunity to inspect it. Any inspection contemplated should be undertaken BEFORE you bid or make an offer and I openly welcome any potential buyer to come and personally inspect the car. Once you bid or make an offer, you are doing so to buy WITHOUT conditions. Your bid can not be subject to anything. A $2000.00 deposit (non-refundable) is required within 24 hours of the close of the auction and payable by PayPal. The balance of funds are required within 7 days of the close of the auction and must be provided by cashier’s check or bank wire. I cannot accept PayPal for the balance unless you are willing to meet the cost of transfer fees. Full payment must be made (and payments cleared) before the title and/or the vehicle is released. All payments are non-refundable. Payments as described above form an important part of this purchase contract and so, if all the funds are not received as outlined above, I reserve the right to terminate the transaction without notice. If there has been any deposit or other part payments received and I elect to terminate the contract, I reserve the right to keep any such deposits or payments and resell the vehicle to another bidder or interested party or re-list the vehicle at any time. To be clear, if you change your mind for ANY reason and do not complete the transaction in the time-frame required, you will forfeit your deposit. I am happy to assist with shipping arrangements on a national and worldwide basis but the winning bidder takes full responsibility for pickup and/or shipping and at his cost.

As a collector and experienced restorer of the marque, I make every effort to bring my cars to a high standard. By comparison, my cars are generally superior to others available but they are by no means perfect. You must expect some issues. Unless specifically stated, the car is not of show standard but of nice "driver" condition. Please understand, show cars of this model cost hundreds of thousands of dollars to achieve and sell for prices commensurate, so the sale price of this car reflects its relative condition. You are buying "condition" accordingly. Buyers should not expect to receive concours quality or "perfect" cars at these prices. Please also understand, the very nature of these classic Rolls-Royces is such that it is not always possible to attend to every item, or perhaps I may have inadvertently overlooked items. Further, and very importantly, these cars are classic cars also because they are old. So this means a 40 year old car is predominantly comprised of 40 year old parts. And old parts will fail. All buyers must understand and expect that things can or will wear out, break and/or stop functioning without notice. This is even more likely with hand-built English cars of early technology when compared to the typical American car of the same vintage. Please note, fitted radio/stereo systems are usually subject to upgrade by purchasers so I do not ensure operation of these. Similarly, cruise control systems fitted to these classics were of an inferior design and I do not check or warrant the operation of these. Suspension and brakes on these cars are complex. We thoroughly check them and replace things that are identified faulty. But please understand, by example; if we change a brake line because it appears aged or faulty, we do NOT at the same time replace all other hoses because they are of similar age. This is considered "preventative maintenance". We do not do this unless specifically requested and is not included in the purchase price. Feel free to ask for this additional service. Further, a feature or function that is working perfectly one moment, may decide to play-up the next. After all, it is some 40 years old. This is the nature of any classic car and especially a Rolls-Royce which was very "complicated" for its era. For this reason it is necessary for the following condition:

The vehicle is being sold "as-is/where-is" with no warranty expressed, written or implied. Any descriptions or representations are made with reasonable judgment and all efforts are made to ensure fair assessment and accuracy but they are for descriptive and identification purposes only and are not to be construed as a warranty of any type. The seller shall not be responsible for errors in description, authenticity, genuineness, or defects herein and makes no warranty in connection therewith. If any aspect of the description contradicts what can be seen in the photos, then the photos shall prevail as the reference point. No allowance or set aside will be made on account of any incorrectness, unforeseen imperfection, defect or damage. It is the responsibility of the buyer to have satisfied himself as to the condition and value and to bid based upon that judgment solely. The seller shall and will make every reasonable effort to disclose any known defects at the buyer’s request prior to the close of the auction. Seller assumes no responsibility for any repairs regardless of any written or oral statements about the vehicle. Being a classic car in excess of 10 years of age, in most US states, the mileage may be recorded as “exempt”. In this regard the seller makes no warranties as to the accuracy of the mileage indicated or shown and accepts no responsibility for any discrepancy with independent reports such as Carfax, AutoCheck, etc. In this regard the seller makes no warranties as to the accuracy of the mileage indicated or shown. I can hold the vehicle up to 30 days while you arrange shipping but you must immediately insure it. I will not bear any responsibility for any additional costs including storage, transportation, or repair after the close of the auction. Whereas I am happy to store the car in excess of 30 days from auction end, a cost of $35 per day shall apply beyond 30 days of auction end. Also, you must remember that this is a classic +/-40 year old vehicle, and while it is up to you, I do not recommend that you just “hop in and drive it across the country”until you have familiarised yourself with the car. At least, I have never done that. I have always professionally transported the cars in enclosed carriers from where I bought them to my home.

PLEASE; IF YOU ARE UNABLE TO ABIDE BY THESE TERMS, CONTACT ME BEFORE YOU CONTEMPLATE DOING SO AS, RESPECTFULLY, THERE CAN BE NO EXCEPTIONS.

I am sorry if these terms seem harsh but there seem to be some very unrealistic buyers out there - fortunately, only few of these people exist but those that do can make life difficult, so it appears EVERYTHING needs to spelled out. Very simply put, this is an old car being offered for sale. It is not new and is subject to the perils of age. Further, Rolls-Royces are not without nuances, idiosyncrasies and they are renown for a host of design issues which can make them not inexpensive to maintain. This is well documented in many circles. You need to be a special and considerate type of purchaser to own a Rolls-Royce. Their down-side is part of the fun in owning them! As the old saying goes; "we love to hate them and hate to love them!" So, please respect the terms and conditions when you bid.

~~ **Please note: This Rolls-Royce is part of the collection of the Park-Ward Motor Museum. As a professional collector and experienced restorer and I have my own Rolls-Royce dedicated workshop with qualified craftsmen on hand. As a passionate collector of the marque I take great pride and pleasure in passing on any of my cars to its next owner (“caretaker”). In so doing, once this Rolls-Royce is sold, I will put the car back thru my workshop to ensure that it is mechanically sound and all major features and functions are operating as described even though the car is contractually being sold "as-is". Certain items such as final electrical tests and hydraulic pressure checks are usually left for this stage as these are considered "commissioning procedures". This and considerable other work will be performed after the sale and before delivery to ensure the car is in excellent order. This all done at NO CHARGE. Who else selling a Rolls-Royce on eBay does this?! This provides the buyer the peace of mind to purchase with complete confidence. Depending on our work load, please allow approximately 7-10 business days for this procedure. For more information on the Park-Ward Motor Museum and their skills, please contact me thru my eBay home page where I can direct you to see some 100 Rolls-Royces restored to varying levels over the last few years. ~~