Classic & Sports Car UK – September 2019

September 2019 Classic & Sports Car 137

headliningandtheretrimmedfrontandrear
seatswerefitted,plusnewcarpets.Withallits
openingpanelsrefittedandadjustedforgapsand
closing,it wastimefora firstroadtest:“Wedid
allourshakedownrunstogetridofcreaksand
makeadjustments.Wespenta lotof timetweak-
ingthedoorsto getridof anywindnoise,setting
upthewindowframesandgettingthemto sound
andlookrightwhenyoushutthem.”
FinallythedayarrivedwhenChambers
collectedhis‘new’BentleyCorniche.ForHillier
it wasalmostananticlimax:“Hejustturnedup
andsaid,‘Thanks,lads,I’moffto Switzerland!’”
Andthat’sexactlywhathedidforthecar’s
inauguralrun,theonlyissuebeinga slightdrive-
linevibration.Intheend,a SilverSpirit-type
CVconversion(anofficialretrofitfromthe
factory)hassincetransformedit.
Drivingthiscaris a delightfulinsightinto
whata Cornichewaslikewhennew.It feelsa
cosy,personalcarwitha fairlylowroofline,but
withfourrealseatsandtheusualassertivedriv-
ingposition.Theleatheris softandfragrant,the
detailingsuperb,thesplit-levelair-conobedi-
entlyefficient– althoughI havetoadmit
I prefer the earlier dashboard.
It has authority on the road, but is usefully
narrow and almost handy in the way it deals with
any situation. There’s a silky, ethereal isolation
from the outside world, a spooky freedom from

windnoisearoundthedoors,andnomorethan

a humfroma V8that,viaa beautifullysmooth

throttle-pedalaction(commandinga pairof

SUs),waftsthecarforwardwitha suavemuscu-

laritythatimpresses,butneveralarms.

Thesmallish,leather-coveredwheelsome-

howgivesyoua better-than-usualimpression

ofthesteering,whichhasa lovelylightness

commensuratewiththeeffortlessnatureofthe

car;youcanputit whereyouwantit ontheroad

withouttheneedforthelastwordinfeedback.

Theslipperyseatsprobablyputthegreatest

limitonthecorneringpoweroftheCorniche.

ThematchedHarveyBaileyrollbarsanddamp-

ersbanishmostof thewallowandundersteer,so

‘takinga line’throughfastcurvesfeelstotally

natural,yetstillwitha louche,hefty,luxurious

feel.I lovedit,andsodoestheowner.“I’vehad

multipleclassiccars– includingAstonMartins

• restoredtoconcoursstandardsbymarque
  specialists,”enthusesChambers,“andinmy
  opinion,thisis at leasttheequalof anyof them.”
  Thisisn’tHillierHill’sfirst‘as-new’Corniche,
  butRayunderlinesthatthefirmdoesn’tonly
  takeontop-endwork:“Wejusthada clientwho
  wanted a car done a certain way.”
  To restore a machine this complicated to this
  level is an accomplishment not to be sniffed at.
  I don’t think I’ve driven a better Rolls or Bentley,
  and certainly not a better Corniche.

Interim Corniche model

mates the earlier body

style with the later-type

dashboard featuring split-

level air-conditioning. The

lavish interior has been

beautifully reupholstered

BENTLEY CORNICHE FHC

Sold/no built 1971-’76/27 RHD, plus 16 LHD

Construction steel unitary, with aluminium

opening panels

Engine all-alloy, ohv 6750cc V8,

twin SU HD8 carburettors

Max power not disclosed

Max torque not disclosed

Transmission GM three-speed auto, RWD

Suspension independent, at front by double

wishbones, anti-roll bar rear semi-trailing

arms; coil springs, self-levelling f/r

Steering power-assisted recirculating ball

Brakes powered discs, three circuits

Length 16ft 11^1 / 2 in (5169mm)

Width 6ft (1829mm)

Height 4ft 10in (1473mm)

Wheelbase 9ft 11^1 / 2 in (3035mm)

Weight 4800Ib (2177kg)

0-60mph 9.6 secs

Top speed 120mph Mpg 11-15

Price new £33,000

Price now £100,000