Corniche I
| Also called | Bentley Corniche |
|---|---|
| Production | 1971-1977 |
| Assembly | London, England |
| Body style | 2-door coupé 2-door convertible |
| Engine | 6.75 L L410 OHV V8 |
| Transmission | 3-speed automatic |
| Wheelbase | 1971-73: 119¾ in (3042 mm) 1974-77: 120 in (3048 mm) |
| Length | 203.5 in (5,169 mm) |
| Width | 72 in (1,829 mm) |
| Height | 58.75 in (1,492 mm) |
| Kerb weight | 4,816 lb (2,185 kg) |
The Rolls-Royce Corniche was available both as a coupé and convertible.
The car used the standard Rolls-Royce V8 engine. It had an aluminium-silicon alloy block and aluminium cylinder heads with cast iron wet cylinder liners. The bore was 4.1 in (104.1 mm) and the stroke was 3.9 in (99.1 mm) for a total of 6.75 L (6,750 cc/411 cuin). Twin SU carburettors were initially fitted, but were replaced with the "horribly complex" single Solex 4A1 four-barrel carburettor introduced in 1977. Desmogged export models retained the twin SU's until 1980, when Bosch fuel injection was added.
A three-speed automatic transmission (a Turbo Hydramatic 400 sourced from General Motors) was standard. A four-wheel independent suspension with coil springs was augmented with a hydraulic self-levelling system (using the same system as did Citroën, but without pneumatic springs, and with the hydraulic components built under licence by Rolls-Royce), at first on all four, but later on the rear wheels only. Four wheel disc brakes were specified, with ventilated discs added for 1972.
The car originally used a 119.75 in (3,042 mm) wheelbase. This was extended to 120 in (3,048 mm) in 1974 and 120.5 in (3,061 mm) in 1979. In total, 780 Saloons (Coupés) and 1,233 Convertibles were built, for a total of 2,013 Corniche I.
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1971-1973 Rolls-Royce Corniche (North America)
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1974-77 Rolls-Royce Corniche convertible (North America)
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