Tag Archives: Drop

Perfect Car For A Wedding #6 – Rolls Royce Corniche

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I am off to a wedding today, the first one I have attended where my friends children are the ones getting married, so it seems appropriate to feature another Perfect Car for a wedding on today’s blog.

Rolls Royce Corniche, Haynes IMM

Today’s Rolls Royce is known as the Silver Shadow Mulliner Park Ward Drop Head Coupé which first appeared in 1967 was renamed Corniche in 1971 when this model scene at the Haynes International Motor Museum was built.

Rolls Royce Corniche, Haynes IMM

The Corniche assembled and finished in London by Mulliner Park Ward is based on the Rolls Royce Silver Shadow / Bentley T floor plan with the same ‘adequate’ aluminium 6230 cc / 380 cui Rolls Royce motor.

Rolls Royce Corniche, Haynes IMM

The Corniche name was first used by Rolls Royce in the 1930’s for a Mark V prototype with Parisian coach work by van Vooren, legend has it that after 15,000 miles of Continental testing in Europe was awaiting repatriation to England when it was hit by a bomb at Dieppe docks.

In the UK it would probably take a particularly brave couple to opt for a convertible on their wedding day but then as they used to say in Rome ‘Fortes fortuna adiuvat’. For the brave this Corniche can be hired from the Haynes International Motor Museum.

Wishing Lotti & Ronnie and all those getting married today all the best and many happy years together.

Thanks for joining me on this Corniche edition of ‘Gettin a lil’ psycho on tyres’, I hope you’ll join me again tomorrow. Don’t forget to come back now !

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Swiss Style British Built – Alvis TD21 Drop Head

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Among the more handsome vehicles to be built in Britain in the late 1950’s was the Alvis TD21, like the 1959 example seen here at the recent Silverstone Classic.

Alvis TD 21, Silverstone Classic

The TD range, available in 2 door saloon or drop head form came with an Alvis 3 litre / 183 cui 6 cylinder motor with 7 bearing crankshaft which produced 115 hp.

Alvis TD 21, Silverstone Classic

The bodywork was designed by Swiss company Hermann Garber working with the Park Ward coach works who took on the production of the beautifully proportioned panels which were mounted on a separate chassis.

Alvis TD 21, Silverstone Classic

With either 4 speed manual, sourced from the Austin Healey parts bin, or 3 speed Borg Warner automatic transmission the TD had a top speed of 103 mph.

Alvis TD 21, Silverstone Classic

The TD21 was upgraded to Series II spec in 1961 with external changes including integrated front fog lights and internal changes including all round disc brakes and ZF 5 speed manual gearbox. From 1958 to 1964 1070 TD21’s of both types were built.

Thanks for joining me on this Swiss style edition of ‘Gettin’ a lil’ psycho on tyres’, .I hope you’ll join me again tomorrow when I’ll be visiting Oulton Park for some classic and historic races. Don’t forget to come back now !

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