This 1984 Rolls-Royce Corniche Convertible was owned
by none other than Frank Sinatra, one of the all-time best artists, as his film
and music career stretched successfully across six decades. The car will be offered at
auction at the NEC Classic Motor Show Sale between the 10th and the 11th of
November, and could fetch anywhere between £ 105,000 (US$ 133,800) and £ 125,000
(US$ 159,288).
The Corniche was imported to the U.S. by Rolls-Royce
on November 13, 1984, and presented to Sinatra for his 70th birthday by fellow
Rat Pack members Sammy Davis Jr. and Dean Martin. Its Mason Black coachwork and
red leather interior with rear picnic tables made for a rare sighting on a
convertible Rolls-Royce model.
Work on the Rolls included refinished wooden door
cappings, as well as some maintenance for the Mason Black paint job. Most of
the efforts however went into its 6.7-liter engine, the suspension and the
braking system.
Altogether, no less than £ 47,000 (US$ 60,000) were
invested into keeping the car in tip top shape after it was brought back to the
UK, where it was put through an extensive recommissioning program by
Performance and Prestige Cars, Marques Prestige Car Services and Rolls-Royce
and Bentley specialists Colbrook.
