Eric Minoff
Vice President, Head of Department - US
LOT 111
1976 Rolls-Royce Corniche Convertible Chassis no. DRX20471
Sold for US$24,640 inc. premiumLot to be sold without reserve
Lot 111
Previously owned by artist Karel Appel
1976 Rolls-Royce Corniche Convertible
1976 Rolls-Royce Corniche Convertible
The Audrain Auction|3 October 2025, 16:00 EDT|Newport, Rhode Island, International Tennis Hall of Fame
1976 Rolls-Royce Corniche Convertible
Chassis no. DRX20471
Chassis no. DRX20471
6,750cc OHV V8 Engine
Twin SU Carburetors
220bhp at 4,000rpm
3-Speed Automatic Transmission
4-Wheel Independent Suspension
4-Wheel Disc Brakes
*Owned in the 1990s by avant-garde CoBrA artist Karel Appel
*In the present ownership for three decades
*Fully equipped with the best amenities of the era
*Lovely, hand-built Rolls-Royce Drophead
THE ROLLS-ROYCE CORNICHE
Introduced in March of 1971, the Corniche was a revised version of the H J Mulliner, Park Ward-bodied two-door variants of the Rolls-Royce Silver Shadow and Bentley T-Series saloons, themselves notable as the Crewe factory's first unitary-construction cars. They featured the finest engineered technologies of the day, such as independent suspension, disc brakes in all four corners, and fuel injected power plants. In Corniche form, Rolls-Royce's well-tried 6.75-litre V8 produced around ten percent more power than standard and proved capable of propelling the car to a top speed in excess of 120mph with sports car-beating acceleration to match.
The model proved a major success for Rolls-Royce, and although its exterior style remained recognizably Silver Shadow, the Corniche benefited from the regular updates and improvements made to the contemporary Silver Spirit range. Remaining in production well into the 1990s, the last convertible examples were delivered in 1995.
THE CAR OFFERED
This elegant Corniche was delivered new to the United States and has spent the better part of its life in and around New York City. Finished in white over black leather, this Rolls is notable for having been in the collection of Dutch avant-garde artist Karel Appel. Born in Amsterdam, Appel was one of the early members of the CoBrA movement – named for the cities from which the artists in the movement hailed Copenhagen, Brussels, and Amsterdam). Appel would go on to become the most famous artist to come from the short-lived group, create sculptures, paintings, and other works in a variety of mediums. Known for his bold colors and expressive works, his paintings regularly sell for hundreds of thousands of dollars.
A popular and successful artist in his 70s by the 1990s, it is understood that Appel traded a painting to acquire this car. A copy of a 1994 New York title in Karel Appel's name is included, showing the car registered to his Chelsea apartment in the Hellmuth Building. The current owner, a friend of Appel's at the time, acquired the Rolls directly from him and has retained it in her collection for the last three decades. Repainted several years ago, the interior remains largely original and retains a fine patina.
Offering stylish, convertible motoring for four, this Corniche represents a terrific way to experience this legendary brand, and the bragging rights to highlight its famous prior owner.
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