1981 Rolls-Royce Corniche Two-door Saloon
Registration no. RA 111
Chassis no. CRH0050654
Engine no. 50654

This Rolls-Royce Corniche was ordered in 1980 via Rolls-Royce Motors International of Switzerland by a Mrs Karani (invoice on file). However, we are advised that it was delivered to the UK and first registered in this country in 1984. Sir Richard Attenborough (later Lord Attenborough) part-exchanged his previous Corniche for this car, which was delivered new to him in the UK in July 1984. However, the colour scheme of Athenian Blue with beige Everflex roof and beige leather interior were deemed unsatisfactory, so the car was immediately returned to Jack Barclay Ltd where it was refinished as per his previous (part-exchanged) Corniche. These changes included coachwork in Special Green (ICI 062-5095); West of England cloth upholstery; chrome badge bar for five badges; lowered driver's seat; chrome 'GB' plate; and Goodyear whitewall tyres. In addition, a Pye telephone and a cassette player were to be fitted, and the headrests and driver's door mirror removed.

When the Corniche was delivered in 1984, Sir Richard, as he then was, was still basking in the glow of success conferred by the receipt of two Academy Awards (Oscars) for his epic motion picture Gandhi (Best Director and, as the film's producer, Best Picture) which had been released in 1982.

The car has been maintained from new by H R Owen, The London Service Centre, there being extensive service, maintenance and repair records on file dating from the 1990s. There are also a number of expired MoT certificates, showing the recorded mileage increasing from 106,833 in April 1999 to 142,867 in May 2003. The car was then SORN'd from 1st June 2011 to 31st May 2013. The current odometer reading is 177,220 miles. Sold strictly as viewed, the car is - we are advised - not in a condition to drive and thus will require re-commissioning before it returns to the road.