Description
This car is Lot 101 to be auctioned by Bonhams|Cars at The Bond Street Sale 12 December, please see the Bonhams website for full details.
Public Viewing:
Available 12th December 2024 from 09:00 until 17:00, at 101 New Bond Street, London.
Lot 101
First owned by His Highness Sheikh Ahmed Mohammed Al Ashmawi
1975 Rolls-Royce Corniche Custom Convertible
Registration no. OBU 760P
Chassis no. DRX 22383
Unique custom interior
Two private owners from new
Circa 39, 000 miles from new
UK-registered since 2018
Recalling its glamorous Grands Routières of pre-war days such as the Phantom II Continental, Rolls-Royce introduced its final coachbuilt models - a two-door coupé and similar convertible - in 1966. Based on the Silver Shadow saloon, these exclusive cars were hand-built in the best traditions of British coachbuilding using only materials of the finest quality including Wilton carpeting, Connolly hide and burr walnut veneers, such painstaking attention to detail resulting in a price some 50% higher than that of the standard Silver Shadow. Nevertheless, demand for these more glamorous alternatives to the much more numerous four-door model was strong right from the start, a state of affairs that resulted in them being given their own model name - 'Corniche' - in March 1971.
Through chairmanship of his company S. A. M. (Saudi Arabian Markets), the late Sheikh Ashmawi was the Aston Martin, Rolls-Royce and Bentley distributor across the Middle East. He was a man who enjoyed a playboy lifestyle and threw parties famous for their extravagance: a reputation that followed the Sheikh when he left Saudi Arabia for Marbella in 1981, whether at home there or on his super-yacht the Neeveen, moored off Puerto Banús. He became a national treasure in Marbella and throughout the entire Costa del Sol, even having a road named after him on Marbella's famous Golden Mile: 'Bulevar Ashmawi'. He was friends with the likes of Sean Connery and many of the other great movie stars of the day, and upon his death in 2019 a monument was erected in the town in honour of his influential role in Marbella's social life.
Sheikh Ashmawi ordered this Rolls-Royce Corniche new and had it customised to his taste with a bright blue leather interior, embroidered with his 'MA' crest on the headrests and steering wheel. It would appear that this transformation was carried out by Robert Jankel Design of Weybridge, Surrey, whose plaque may be found on the sills. It is understood that the Corniche was used for travelling to and from parties and the Sheikh's multicoloured private jets, of which there were many. His love of such aircraft is reflected in the Corniche's interior, which is understood to have the same radio system as his Falcon jet, built into the custom blue-tinted wooden dashboard. He owned the Corniche until circa 2018 when it passed to one of his close friends. First registered in the UK in 2018, car has covered only a little over 39, 000 miles from new and runs and drives beautifully on the road; however, it should be noted that the engine emits a 'ticking' noise/ misfire, the cause of which is unknown. Sold strictly as viewed, this unique Corniche comes with build sheets, sales invoices, shipping documents, and a UK V5C Registration Certificate.
All lots are sold 'as is/ where is' and Bidders must satisfy themselves as to the provenance, condition, age, completeness and originality prior to bidding. Visit the Bonhams Motorcycles website for all pertinent auction information.
