1989 Rolls-Royce Corniche Convertible
Highlights
- Advisory-free MOT until 19th August 2025
- Desirable private registration ‘PEP 62S’ included in the sale
- Owned for 27 years by a famous cricketer, actor, writer and record label President, Dr. David English C.B.E, MBE, O.S.C.A
- Full service history, which the vendor will request from HR Owen; later servicing by The Chelsea Workshop
- Offered in superb overall condition
- Recommissioned and serviced in August 2024 by The Chelsea Workshop following long-term storage
The Appeal
Offered as coach-built, two-door coupé and cabriolet versions of the enormously successful Silver Shadow, the Rolls-Royce Corniche was the car to be seen in if you were an A-list celebrity at the time.
Paul McCartney, David Bowie, Elton John, Frank Sinatra, Dean Martin, Michael Caine, Maurice Gibb and even David Attenborough all drove Corniches. That’s quite the list, and we can add one more name to it… The late cricketer, actor, writer and former president of RSO Records, Dr David English was also a Corniche man, and we’re delighted to offer his very car, which he cherished for 27 years.
Paul McCartney, David Bowie, Elton John, Frank Sinatra, Dean Martin, Michael Caine, Maurice Gibb and even David Attenborough all drove Corniches. That’s quite the list, and we can add one more name to it… The late cricketer, actor, writer and former president of RSO Records, Dr David English was also a Corniche man, and we’re delighted to offer his very car, which he cherished for 27 years.
Dr English was an esteemed member of the prestigious Lord’s-based Marylebone Cricket Club, founder of the Bunbury Cricket Club charity and in his record industry career, signed the Bee Gees and Eric Clapton, as well as managing publicity for the Rolling Stones and Tom Jones. He even appeared in several films including A Bridge Too Far!
Right, enough name-dropping. Irrespective of its rich provenance, this 1989 Corniche is an outstanding example as the photographs attest to. We’re assured that it benefits from full service history, principally from HR Owen and later with renowned independent specialists The Chelsea Workshop. A collection of invoices and service records accompany the car and the vendor will request the older service information from HR Owen.
Offered with an advisory-free long MOT, this Rolls-Royce is ready for a new owner.
The History and Paperwork
- 74,893 miles indicated and reportedly warranted by the service history
- Five former registered keepers according to DVLA data
- UK home market RHD example
- Previously registered in France - still accompanied by copies of its Contrôle Technique certificates
- V5C present
- The vendor informs us that they can request the service history for 1989-2005 from HR Owen once the V5 has been transferred to the new owner (vendor is happy to do this for the buyer if required)
- More recent independent specialist service history accompanies the car with numerous stamps from The Chelsea Workshop in a service book
- Most recent service dated 28th August 2024, also with The Chelsea Workshop who recommissioned the car following long-term storage
- Invoice for recent recommissioning work amounting to £12,551.54
- Invoices from Strong & Turton LTD Motor Trimmers for upholstery and hood refurbishment as well as supplying a new hood bag; these amount to £9,510 (see invoices in the gallery below)
- Hand-written letter from Dr English on Bunbury Cricket Club headed notepaper to The Chelsea Workshop dated 14th July 2020
The Condition
- Blue folding hood is complemented by a Magnolia hood bag to match the upholstery
- The hood presents impeccably following professional maintenance/repair and we understand it to be in good working order
- The bodywork and paint look fantastic, with no notable blemishes, any signs of accident damage or age-related deterioration to report
- All looks well underneath, with no issues apparent
- Very smart Magnolia interior, benefitting from copious high-quality work with Strong & Turton LTD
- Barely any notable wear visible in the photographs
- We’re not notified of any known issues with the cabin electrics, instruments or controls
As the photographs attest to, this looks an astounding example of the marque. The Mulliner Park Ward coachwork appears arrow-straight down both sides, with fantastic panel fit and well-fitting doors. The paint and chromework gleams and the vendor is not aware of any notable signs of wear or deterioration. The hood presents impeccably, fits tightly and the rear window appears in very good order. On the inside, the interior is spotlessly clean and benefits from copious work with Strong & Turton LTD who carried out a multitude of tidying jobs as well as fully ‘re-Connollising’ all the leather. All looks fantastic as a result, and there’s very little to report in the way of visible wear.
The Mechanics
- 6.75-litre V8
- Three-speed automatic transmission
- Recently recommissioned and ‘A Service’ performed by The Chelsea Workshop (see full invoice in the gallery below)
- Recommissioning work included and comprehensive overhaul of all worn, perished or malfunctioning parts to the suspension, steering, brakes and fuel system, besides numerous other more minor jobs
- Complete with an advisory-free MOT
Having been gone through thoroughly by renowned specialists The Chelsea Workshop in August 2024, prospective bidders can rest assured that this is a very healthy Rolls-Royce. We’re assured that it runs very well indeed and the recent MOT test was passed with no advisory items. These cars are the perfect choice for open-topped Continental grand touring and this one’s well and truly up to the task following £12,551 in mechanical expenditure.
BEFORE YOU BUY
This sale is subject to the Car & Classic Terms and Conditions. By bidding and/or making an offer, you also agree to the following:
✓ The seller of this vehicle is registered as a business seller. And you are covered by Car & Classic’s Terms and Conditions.
✓ We request that a non-refundable fee be paid if you are the lucky winning bidder at auction or if your offer is accepted. Please refer to our helpful FAQs and T&Cs for specific rates.
✓ This vehicle is “Sold As Seen”, on an “As Is Where Is’ basis and without warranty. Photos and descriptions are solely for guidance purposes and it's customary to carry out a full inspection of the vehicle prior to purchase for your own peace of mind.
✓ VAT is included in the buyer's fee. VAT may or may not be included in the final bid or offer price, as specified in the listing.
✓ We want a smooth transaction just as much as you do and as such we run all UK-registered cars and motorbikes for sale on Car & Classic through an online HPI check to verify that they show no insurance database markers for damage or theft, and have no finance owing, allowing you to bid with confidence.
✓ We also check whether vehicles are recorded as being written off as part of an insurance total loss claim at the time an advert is placed and we helpfully provide write-off category labels (Cat C/D/S/N) for your assistance, the presence or absence of a label does not guarantee the vehicle’s status and it's always worthwhile carrying out your own full vehicle history check before making an offer.
✓ Buyers are responsible for vehicle collection
or delivery. Importing vehicles may result in additional customs duties and import taxes so it's worth checking beforehand.
Vehicle specification
- Year 1989
- Make Rolls Royce
- Model Corniche
- Colour Blue
- Odometer 74,893 Miles
- Engine size
Listing Details
- Seller type Trade
- Town Guildford
- Location Surrey
- Country United Kingdom
The Gallery
Popular questions about make an offer
If an auction vehicle doesn't sell, it may be converted into a “Make an offer” listing. This will retain all of the details of the auction listing but replace the bidding functionality with an offering system whereby potential buyers can make an offer on the vehicle.
To take the hassle out of the whole process and to prevent any unnecessary squabbling we'll automatically decline anything less than 70% of the asking price so only offers that are worth considering will be accepted.
Make an offer listings include a “Make an offer” button. Simply click on this and enter the amount you’d like to offer and the seller will either accept, decline or counter. Easy peasy.
If you don’t have a Car & Classic account with a registered bank card you’ll be prompted to set one up at this point.
To take the hassle out of the whole process and to prevent any unnecessary squabbling we'll automatically decline anything less than 70% of the asking price so only offers that are worth considering will be accepted.
Make an offer listings include a “Make an offer” button. Simply click on this and enter the amount you’d like to offer and the seller will either accept, decline or counter. Easy peasy.
If you don’t have a Car & Classic account with a registered bank card you’ll be prompted to set one up at this point.
If your offer is accepted, you’ll be charged a service fee. The amount depends on the cost of the vehicle and is an additional cost on top of the offer amount. Starting from as little as £/€300, it covers the cost of our various auction and escrow services, but rest assured, we're not in the woollen eyewear business and so the exact amount is always displayed upfront before you place your bid. You will only be charged if your offer is accepted.
The service fee is a charge in addition to any accepted offer amount that varies depending on the cost of the vehicle. Starting from as little as £/€300, the exact fee is clearly displayed upfront before any offer is placed so you always know exactly how much you'll be charged. It covers the cost of our various auction and escrow services and allows us to continue to provide a secure and professional platform from which to transact safely.
If you've ever squeezed a lemon then this'll be a doddle. Firstly you'll need to be logged in to your Car & Classic account and have added a valid payment card to your profile. Once these steps have been completed you can then make an offer by clicking on the "Make an offer" button on the listing page and entering your offer amount before clicking on the “Submit Offer” button underneath.
Make an offer
This seller is open to offers. Enter the amount you'd like to pay and if your offer is accepted, a member of the team will be in touch.
Under offer
This seller has accepted an offer.
Click the star to watch the listing and keep an eye on it in the favourites section of your account, or search for something similar.