“In most people’s eyes, it’s the absolute ultimate in cars” (Autocar magazine) The epitome of luxurious, open-topped motoring, the Rolls-Royce Corniche found favour with the global elite not to mention such A-list celebrities as Sir Paul McCartney, Frank Sinatra, Tom Jones, David Bowie, Elton John, Dean Martin, Sir Michael Caine and Zsa Zsa Gabor.

Often subject to a two-year plus waiting list, the model underwent its first major facelift in 1986 with the arrival of the Corniche II.

Visually distinguished by colour-coded bumpers / door mirrors and chrome side trims that accentuated its wheelarches / sills, changes to the newcomer were far more than skin deep.

In common with Rolls-Royce’s other so-called ’20,000 Series’ cars, the soft-top benefited from a vastly improved electrical system, better air-conditioning, more engine power, superior reliability, increased fuel efficiency, simplified servicing and ABS brakes.

For example, the mellifluous 6750cc V8 engine gained a new inlet ma...