When the Corniche Convertible had just come out!

[Beemer-5]

When would that have been?
Circa 1977?

Anyways up, i recall a PINK one, turning into Scratchwood service station, on the M1 in London and rumour had it that The Sex Pistols were safely inside, whilst their driver filled the tank.

Pink with a white hood!

[Balmoral Green]

The Corniche convertible was introduced in March 1971, but there were versions before that by Mulliner Park Ward.

[Beemer-5]

Ta.

[cardigankid]

It was the same car and available from not long after the Shadow's launch, but before being renamed the Corniche it was called the Rolls / Bentley Mulliner Park Ward 2 door coupe, and convertible. A car of stunning presence, even today. There is some nice footage of a Mediterranean Blue one in the 1969 film On Her Majesty's Secret Service. You can probably get it on Youtube.

These cars were something quite out of the ordinary, even just to sit in when they were new. There was a pungency to the leather and a distinct smell of ozone from the AC system on full bung. Although it was a more conventional production line item than coachbuilt models of the prewar era, the care and attention lavished on these cars, and the standards achieved and expected were phenomenal. A more normal classic cannot really be considered as comparable. They had to be perfect, nothing more or less.

I would think that they continued up to the end of the Shadow II in 1980 as I recall. Without wishing to be controversial or offensive, I could never feel the same about the Spirit models.

[Balmoral Green]

cardigankid said:

I would think that they continued up to the end of the Shadow II in 1980 as I recall.

Nope, they soldiered on right up until about 1992 and were known as the Continental, I think they stopped when the Continental R came out, followed by the Azure in 95 I think. The later ones had Turbo R wheels, some had the running gear too.

1990 example here...

http://www.classicsgallery.com/en/plus.php?IdMore=...

Edited by Balmoral Green on Tuesday 11th December 19:03

[cardigankid]

That would be something to have, sure enough.

[bmwdrivernigel]

I had a MPW, wonder where it is now, FRA 601L come in please. Was a wonderful old thing, primrose yellow, white walls, I thought I was so cool!!

[bosscerbera]

bmwdrivernigel said:

I had a MPW, wonder where it is now, FRA 601L come in please. Was a wonderful old thing, primrose yellow, white walls, I thought I was so cool!!

Sounds groovy.

[cardigankid]

You were.

[ph123]

I sold the first Cornish into West Sussex to a market gardener near Littlehampton in metallic blue who paid £13,500 cash. I was impressed. I'd never imagined so much money was possible (a new E Type Jag was £1961 at the time iirc), and I had to physically count it out.