2002 Rolls-Royce Corniche

The description on the V5 says that this is a ‘green convertible petrol car’, which is a bit like saying that the Mona Lisa is a small painting of a woman.

Because a Rolls-Royce Corniche is so much more than that – and ‘RR52 COR’ is an uncommonly fine example of an uncommonly fine motorcar.

Originally built to demonstrate a good selection of the bewildering range of options that were available it was displayed in R-R showrooms before being returned to the factory to be further upgraded before being registered in October 2002 to its new owners.

Finished in Iridium with a Barley leather and Spruce hide interior, it is one of only 51 right-hand drive cars ever built, shows just 41,000 miles on the odometer, and comes with an excellent service history in addition to the highly appropriate registration number you see fitted.

Nor does the DVLA’s description of it being a green car do it justice, because the Iridium colour is so much more than that. An understated metallic, it is wonderfully subtle and shows off the Corniche’s lines to perfection – and what lines they are: the Corniche has to be in the running as one of the world’s most beautiful four-seater convertibles anyway but this one’s mm-perfect shutlines give it the look of a car that’s been carved from a solid ingot.

It helps that it’s been so well looked after, including a visit to Flying B, the well-known independent Bentley specialists, in December 2023 for it to have the rear bumper, rear three-quarters, and the sill resprayed. Like all the best bodywork, you can’t see that it is new paintwork, even with close inspection.

The chromework, of which the imposing Rolls-Royce grille is the most obvious, has a rich deep lustre that the passage of almost a quarter of a century has done nothing to dull. Free of pitting and rust, it twinkles even in the weak winter sun we photographed it in.

The Spirit of Ecstasy is present and correct, and the lamp lenses and badges are in an unblemished condition.

As are the 17-inch alloy wheels, which are stunning condition and free of dinks, scuffs or other signs of careless parking. Fitted with chrome and black centre caps, they’re every bit as restrained as the coachwork.

Four new 255/55R17 Avon Turbospeed tyres were fitted in May 2019, and these replaced a previous set of four Avon tyres that had been fitted in 2009. They might be hideously expensive – this set cost the owner £1,296 – but we don’t think there’s a better tyre for cars like this, something the factory clearly agrees with as it left them wearing a set too.

And let’s not overlook the matter of these being the third set (at least), which speaks volumes about the money-no-object curation the Corniche has enjoyed over the years.

The folding green roof fits as well as you’d expect. Ridiculously over-engineered, it provides almost saloon-like levels of insulation from the outside world.

It still rises and falls as it should too, and is free of even the smallest of tears, frayed stitching, and other damage. When furled, it sits beneath a very clean solid tonneau cover that’s finished in the same cover as the roof.

The rest of the exterior is very good including the extra-cost polished door mirror casings, the door shuts, the bumpers’ extremities, and the exquisite pinstripes along the car’s (ripple-free) flanks.

Which means there isn’t much for the new owner to do. The green tonneau cover has some light crease marks to the offside trim panel and there are stress cracks around the nearside outer rear parking sensor.

If the Iridium coachwork is about showing the world that you know how to make an entrance, the interior is all about its occupants, cosseting them in a way that few other marques can.

So, you can take it as read that there are vast swathes of the finest hide, lashings of chromed controls, and enough walnut to panel a decent-sized library.

The seats, which are electrically adjustable in the front and heated front and rear, are a real high point. Trimmed in Sable hide and edged with Spruce Green piping, they’re every bit as comfortable and supportive as they look – and don’t the ‘RR’ monograms look terrific?

Mind you, they should as the paperwork in the history file shows the Corniche had to be sent to Mulliner Park Ward for them to be done – although that might not have been the profligate act you imagine because MPW trimmed the rearview mirror in Barley hide while it was with them, thus killing two birds with one (very expensive) stone...

As befits a car like this, while the driver and passenger aren’t neglected – heck, just look at the depth of shine on the expansive burr walnut dashboard – it’s the two rear-seat occupants that really benefit from that £360,000 investment.

There is oodles of legroom for a start, plus deeply sculpted seats that feel like your mum giving you a hug. They offer two-stage heating too, as well as two natty footrests. Storage includes pleated pockets in the back of the front seats, plus an elasticated leather pocket underneath the heating controls.

The Conifer Wilton carpets and matching lambswool rugs are all in an excellent condition and the latter not only sit above the car’s standard overmats but have such a deep pile that we can’t imagine ruining the feel by wearing shoes in there.

There’s a period Motorola car phone under the central armrest too, although its age means it’s more of a conversation piece than anything you can use to have an actual conversation.

The well-trimmed boot hides a mass of mechanical and electrical components between it and the rear seat courtesy of a removeable panel, an arrangement that provides the best of both worlds: a beautifully carpeted and trimmed luggage space alongside easy access to the tool kit, hazard warning triangle, and the sort of bits and bobs you might to need to reach every now and then like the hood mechanism.

Of course, two genuine Rolls-Royce umbrellas are neatly stowed under the boot lid and held in place by leather straps.

As for wear ‘n’ tear, the driver’s seat is gently creased and shows some light cracks to the finish, and there’s a small scuff to the armrest on the driver’s door.

Finally, the headlining is a little grubby at the sides. Of course, this is only visible if the roof is up, so this may not be a priority if you intend to use it only with the roof down.

The Corniche’s service history reads as follows:

• 10.10.2002 and 264 miles – pre-delivery check by Michael Powles Limited
• 03.02.2004 and 6,901 miles – service by Michael Powles Limited
• 16.05.2007 and 14,160 miles – service by Michael Powles Limited
• 15.01.2008 and 16,971 miles – service by Bentley Leicester
• 04.08.2009 and 20,678 miles – service by Frank Dale & Stepsons
• 04.07.2011 and 27,806 miles – service by George Dale including fresh coolant, new sparkplugs, and a change of gearbox oil
• 03.06.2013 and 30,227 miles – service by Frank Dale & Stepsons
• 05.08.2015 and 35,258 miles – service by GT Services Cheshire
• 19.10.2016 and 36,639 miles – service by GT Services Cheshire
• 25.10.2017 and 37,438 miles – service by GT Services Cheshire including a new power-steering pump
• 25.10.2018 and 38,438 miles – service by GT Services Cheshire including new power-steering pipes
• 02.10.2019 and 39,889 miles – service by GT Services Cheshire
• 22.01.2022 and 40,224 miles – service by S. Young Autos including new front, rear and handbrake brake pads
• 24.01.2023 and 40,299 miles – service by S. Young Autos including a new battery
• 20.12.2023 and 40,526 miles – service by Flying B including a four-wheel geometry, new brake accumulators, Dinitrol underbody protection treatment, both front seats reworked, and some bodywork at a cost of £3,651

The V8 engine, which was handbuilt by M Appleby, starts on the button and idles with nothing more than a muted hum in the cabin. It revs well too and does it all with no warning lights illuminated on the dashboard.

As for its cosmetic condition, the engine bay is nicely presented without being overly prissy. This means you’ll be able to open the bonnet and show off that handbuilt engine with a feeling of pride but won’t be haunted by a persistent nagging feeling that you need to devote a day to maintaining its concours finish after taking it out.

The underside looks clean and very strong. Certainly, no MoT tester has ever mentioned rust or structural corrosion after inspecting it, a record the recent professionally-applied Dinitrol treatment will help maintain.

The Corniche’s MoT certificate is valid until November 2025, and you’ll be reassured to hear that no fewer than fifteen of its tests over the years were issued with no advisories.

The recent Vehicle History Check is clear, and the Corniche comes with two sets of keys, including one brand-new remote that the seller went to the expense of sourcing because that’s how he rolls.

The history file contains the Corniche’s handbook and slip case, a photographic booklet that records the car’s build and specification, the Rolls-Royce book pack and wallet, and the stamped service history booklet that’s supported by a wealth of old invoices and MoT certificates.

There’s a rosette in their too for Most Elegant in Class, and the seller was told it’s been shown as far afield as Switzerland and even the United States in its time.

It’s an impressive file that documents an impressive life, and the paper trail demonstrates just how much the Corniche’s previous owners, one of whom was the chair of the Rolls-Royce Enthusiasts’ Club, cherished it.

Oh, and it also comes with a tailored indoor car cover.

Only being sold because the seller simply isn’t using it as much as he thought he would, it’s being offered with an estimate of between £75,000 and £85,000, which probably means this beautifully presented Corniche isn’t going to be an impulse buy.

And yet, despite that being a hefty chunk of money, it’s nearly three hundred thousand pounds less than it cost new, so the depreciation curve must be close to flat by now.

Which gives you a fighting chance of being able to buy it and run it for a year without causing too much of a dint in your savings – and if you win, you’ll be able to look back at a life that included one of the most luxurious and exclusive convertible cars ever built.

Viewing is strongly encouraged, and this lot is located at Bonhams|Cars Online HQ. Viewings are STRICTLY BY APPOINTMENT and we are open weekdays between 10am - 12pm or 2pm - 4pm. To make a booking, please use the ‘Enquire About This Vehicle’ button on the listing. Feel free to ask any questions, or try our ‘Frequently Asked Questions’.