134351 / 2000 Rolls-Royce Corniche

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Tipping the scales at over $375,000, the Rolls-Royce Corniche was the most expensive car on the company's roster and also the most exclusive. Just 374 were built with approximately 100 crossing the sea to U.S. shores. This 2000 Rolls Royce Corniche convertible was one of those lucky few and has seen just 27,148 miles in its lifetime. The car is also among the final batch of Rolls-Royce products produced on the historic Crewe production line which was redeveloped for Bentley use after 2002. If you're looking for a historically significant luxury car or just a genuine Rolls Royce at less than 1/3 of the original cost, this convertible is for you.

This example is shown in a rare combination of Silver Pearl on Stratos leather hide, making it a stand-out even among its small group of siblings. Quality construction from the factory is a given but, as a modern car driven regularly on modern roads, the body work remains respectably straight all around, topped by rich paintwork that accentuates the clean design perfectly. When the weather fails, a black wool-lined top rises from beneath the flat rear tonneau cover, providing both protection and a great contrast against the paintwork. From the "Spirit of Ecstasy" hood ornament back, every finish piece presents as new.

This cabriolet gets its motivation from a massive 6.75 L V8 known simply as the Six and Three-Quarter. The engine's origins date back to the 1950s but this variant has a few modern tricks up its sleeve. The foundation is an aluminum 16-valve pushrod V8 topped by aluminum heads. Fuel is supplied by port fuel injection while a sophisticated Zytek engine control system keeps everything working in harmony. The end result is 325 hp and a whopping 544 lb-ft of torque good for 8-second 0-60 sprints and a quoted top speed of 135 mph -- pretty impressive for a 6,050 lb convertible that considers performance secondary.

Behind the V8, a GM 4L80E four-speed automatic makes for smooth shifts before twisting power back to an aluminum center section. These cars are know for ride quality and that characteristic is provided by an industrial strength factory suspension supplemented by Automatic Ride Control (ARC). ! The jolt-proof suspension is further aided by power assisted rack-and-pinion steering as well as heavy-duty four-wheel disc brakes. The chassis meets the ground through Michelin white walls that wrap around stately Rolls Royce wheels.

John Keats once wrote, "A thing of beauty is a joy forever. Its loveliness increases, and it will never pass into nothingness." Rolls-Royce used that line while marketing the Corniche II in the late 80s but the statement is equally relevant to this model. Smooth, stylish, and competent in every regard, this is a future classic and a tremendous value to boot. If it's time to add a little luxury to your garage, call, click, or visit http://rkmotorscharlotte.com for more information!