Rolls Royce Corniche for Export from Dubai

Rolls Royce Corniche for export from Dubai: a classic, so the year and the restoration come first

The Rolls Royce Corniche is a two-door luxury car, sold as a convertible and, in the early years, as a coupe, and it is a classic and not a current model. The name was used from 1971 until the early 2000s, across several versions of the same basic idea. For a Rolls Royce Corniche for export from Dubai, the fact that decides everything is which year it is and what condition it is in, since a good one and a poor one may be worlds apart in cost and in what they need.

A classic in Dubai is a collector's car and a desert-climate survivor, which is an advantage because rust is less of a problem than in wetter countries. The cars on this page are offered for shipment abroad. Buyers who want to keep one in the Emirates can look at the used Rolls Royce Corniche page for Dubai, which covers cars sold for local use.

A buyer should approach a Corniche as a project or a collection piece. Running cost is real, and the car rewards those who enjoy maintaining it.

Corniche I to V: a long run of one idea

Rolls Royce introduced the Corniche in 1971 as the top coupe and drophead of its Silver Shadow family. The line was revised several times over the next three decades, and enthusiasts number the versions from one to five. Chassis and body changes, new suspension, fuel injection and, later, turbocharging came along the way.

The first cars are the ones with the most vintage character, and the last cars, built until about 2002, are the ones with more modern engineering. Published sources give slightly different year ranges for the middle versions, so rely on the chassis number and the registration document to date a car, not on the advert wording.

A Corniche from the 1970s and a Corniche from the late 1990s differ in dashboards, engines, brakes and comfort equipment. Ask the seller which numbered version it is and what year it was built.

Earlier cars use carburettors or early fuel injection, while later ones have more advanced engine management. This affects ease of starting, fuel economy and how comfortable the car is in modern traffic.

What the Corniche name means on a classic Rolls-Royce

The Corniche was the most open and sporting of the Rolls Royce range of its era. It shared its mechanical basis with the saloons of the time, but it had a convertible body, a more luxurious fit and a higher status.

Under the bonnet sits the 6.75-litre V8 that the company used for decades, in naturally aspirated form for most of the run and in a turbocharged form on the last cars. The engine is a heavy, torquey unit that suits relaxed driving.

There is no performance line within this name. The differences between cars are in version, body style, colour and trim, and above all in whether the car has been looked after. A Corniche with a thick file of invoices is a different object from one with none.

Documentation counts for a great deal with cars of this age. A folder with the original handbook, tools and service stamps shows care, and the absence of one should lower the price.

Convertible, coupe and what it can carry

Most Corniches you will see are convertibles with a folding fabric hood, seating four. The coupe was built in smaller numbers and is rarer. Both are large cars, long and wide, with a boot big enough for luggage for two.

The hood mechanism, the seals and the leather are the parts that age. Check the hood for tears, check that it opens and closes smoothly, and look for water marks in the carpets. A convertible kept in a garage in Dubai may be better than one kept outside in a wet climate.

These cars are heavy and long. Your forwarder will want exact dimensions and weight. A classic with a delicate finish also deserves enclosed container shipping in many cases, not open roll-on roll-off, so ask about it.

Interior woodwork and leather are signature features. Cracked veneer or shrunken leather is costly to restore, because the work needs skilled craftspeople, and the price of refurbishment can exceed the value of the repair on a poor car.

What sets the price of a Corniche sold for export

For a classic, the price is set by condition, originality and history, not by age alone. Cars that retain their original paint, interior and engine, with a documented ownership record, are worth more than restored cars with replaced parts.

Version matters, as does the body style. The convertible is more sought after than the coupe, and later cars with fuel injection and better electronics are easier to live with. Rare colours and rare specifications can also add value.

The state of the hydraulic systems, the brake and suspension components that were common on these cars, can be a large cost if neglected. A car that has been serviced regularly has a clear advantage, and a car that has stood unused for years may need a full recommissioning.

Shipping and insurance for a classic also differ from those for a modern car. Get a quote that covers transit damage before you commit.

Provenance also matters. A car with a famous owner or a rare build record can command a premium, but verify claims with documents and not with sales talk.

Gulf cars and cars from other markets

Most Corniches were built for Europe and North America. A classic found in Dubai is likely to have been imported privately and used as a collector's car, so the idea of Gulf specification matters less than with a modern model. Look at the history instead.

Some cars may have been supplied new to the Gulf and carry modifications for the heat, such as stronger air conditioning. Others came from the United States, with the lamps, bumpers and instrument units of that market. Rolls Royce built cars differently for various markets in this era.

Spare parts are available through specialists and clubs, and the supply is better than the age of the cars suggests. Still, ask whether the destination has a specialist who can look after a car like this.

Insurance for classics abroad is a topic to settle before shipping. Some insurers will cover a classic only with an agreed valuation, and you may need an independent appraisal.

How to buy a Corniche in Dubai for export, step by step

First, decide where the car is going and check that country's rules on classic and older vehicles. Some authorities treat cars over a certain age more leniently, and others ban them. Your forwarder or the customs office will know.

Then look at the cars listed here from verified UAE sellers. OneClickDrive is a car marketplace that connects you with them. We charge no commission and we do not inspect, ship, document or guarantee any car, so you and the seller settle price and handover.

Ask for the registration card, the chassis number, photographs of the engine, the hood, the underside and the interior, and the invoices for work done. A specialist inspection before purchase is wise for a car of this age and value, and you should arrange it yourself. Agree who cancels the UAE registration and who supplies the export document.

Choose a forwarder who has shipped classics, and ask about covered transport. Sign a written contract naming the chassis number before paying a deposit, and release the balance when the papers are handed over.

On arrival, plan a thorough inspection and a recommissioning service. A car that has been shipped should have its brakes, fluids and hydraulic system checked before it is driven in earnest.

Age limits, emissions and what to ask before paying

Age rules cut both ways with a classic. Some countries bar older vehicles outright, while others waive standards for cars over a set age, such as twenty-five years. Whether the Corniche qualifies depends on its build date, so confirm it with the authority and not from a forum.

Emissions of a large carburetted or early injected V8 are far above modern limits, and a few countries will not register a car that cannot meet a standard. Classic exemptions exist in some places.

All UAE cars are left-hand drive. A country that only takes right-hand-drive vehicles will not accept this one, although some Corniches were built in right-hand drive and are not offered from Dubai.

Ask the seller whether the car is free from finance and fines, whether the registration and chassis number agree, whether it has accident history, which version it is, when the hydraulics were last serviced and whether the hood works. Request the service file and photographs of any rust repairs.

Insurance for the voyage must reflect the car's real value, which for a classic may be set by appraisal. Ask the forwarder for an agreed-value policy and get it in writing.

Restoration is the other cost to weigh. Even a good Corniche will need work, and the price of skilled labour varies by country, so ask a local specialist what a car in this state would need.

Our range of Export Rolls Royce Cars from Dubai offers versatile choices to match every driver’s needs, from everyday comfort to high-performance models. If you want to broaden your options, our complete hub of used cars for sale in Dubai features thousands of vehicles to explore. Looking to upgrade or switch your vehicle? You can also easily sell my car Dubai through OneClickDrive and connect with serious buyers across the UAE.