The Corniche & Camargue > In Which Way Could History Repeat Itself @ Rolls-Royce?
A bold new direction for Rolls in 1966.
- When the convertible made its original debut back in TYOL Nineteen Hundred Sixty Six, the gentle folk at Crewe ascribed the moniker “Park Ward two-door.”
- Lacking romance in nomenclature, the title was binned in favor of the elegant “Corniche,” thereby giving would-be buyers a visualization of where the car belonged – even if the actual rag-top being sold was located just off the Garden State Parkway.
- The iconic Greek temple grille is actually pitched at a three degree angle for a more sporting visage.
It was a time of radical change for Crewe. Funny how history repeats itself.
Goodwood is in the midst of a radical and (so far) economically successful transformation of its operations and will be further testing the boundaries where tradition once drew bold lines.
Aside from increasing its manufacturing capacity to accommodate a smaller Rolls sedan, there will be a segue to a more driver-friendly Rolls-Royce.
The new direction; a potentially volatile blend of modern luxury interpretation v. strong tradition, boundary testing, and design foresight is playing out as we speak with the addition of the Phantom Drophead Coupé and next year’s Phantom Fixed-Head Coupé (101EX).
Bold modernism? Or reckless disregard for tradition?
The ’70s Camargue failed to proceed on more accounts than just the obvious.
Squinty eyed, with sloping inset grilles, the new generation of two-doors are set to alter the marque’s image and appeal in an even more radical way than the Phantom managed at restoring its no-holds-barred grandeur. And to be sure, these new designs represent an aesthetic challenge to any of the marque’s traditionalist fans.
By the numbers, Rolls has never been so successful – so the new two-door lineup will work for the company in real fiscal terms.
But what of the heritage aspect? What of taste? Does Rolls’ new heading wind toward that same slippery slope of compromise-for-ca$h that dragged Mercedes-Benz down in the 1990s? Will there be the same insurrection that the Camargue brought?
Or will we see the Phantom Drophead and Fixed Head Coupés in the same reverential light as most now view the old Park Ward two-door?
About the Author: Gunnar Heinrich is publisher of Automobiles De Luxe online and is executive producer of the Automobiles De Luxe Television series on PBS member station CPTV.
gotleib1 | Oct 15, 2007 | Reply
The Garden State Parkway is awesome!
Zarba | Oct 15, 2007 | Reply
The Camargue was, how do I say it kindly, butt-ugly. I’ve seen a couple over the years and they were unattractive at first, and haven’t aged well at all.
The Corniche, for all its image of nuveau riche excess, was a true Rolls-Royce.
I think the PDC is a great addition to the marque, but I find the fixed head coupe to be a poor design, with the arc of the roof at the rear of the greehouse especially bad. it makes the roof look tacked on, not of a piece with the rest of the body.
So I have to vote both ways, the PDC is of a piece with the Corniche, and the fixed head coupe more of a Camargue.
But I’m passionate about being ambivalent!
Anonymous | Oct 15, 2007 | Reply
I think the New drophead and coupe will work well in modern luxury circles. It portrays a new way of looking at grandeur, which other cars cant match. It’s main advantage is it’s size and the size of it’s wheels as compared to it’s body size. It has immense presence so it will always look better in the flesh than in photo’s similar to looking at a bugatti royale!I don’t think and sales haven’t shown a similar trend happening here as did happen with the Camargue. I have a distinct feeling that the next mid sized car that’s being developed as a competitor to the flying spur will will be called the Shadow. And so the smaller convertible will be logicaly called the Corniche but for these cars to work because they don’t have the size of the Phantoms will use a different design direction. This might fail, but it can be sucessful if they soften the lines and use higher performance engines to compete with the Bentley’s and the AMG Mercedes.
Gunnar Heinrich | Oct 15, 2007 | Reply
Gotleib > somebody’s got to like it.
Zarba > That’s your being kind!!!The Corniche really is quintessential Rolls.
Anon > Fascinating take on matters. So you’re thinking that RR aims to have six models in its lineup? That would most certainly flesh-out the range to better rival Bentley Motors.
steane | Oct 15, 2007 | Reply
Rolls have got it right with the Phantom and the PDC. They are ultra modern, ultra cool and look ultra expensive and exclusive (as opposed to just being ultra expensive and exlusive). They will be fondly remembered over the passing of time IMO.
The RR name appears to be in good hands at the moment.
Anonymous | Oct 27, 2007 | Reply
I disagree.
I’m thinking the new Bentley Brooklands Coupe follows more closely to the original Corniche/Continental design idiom. I still can’t get over the needlessly goofy headlight setup with the new generation RR products.
Fred | Mar 25, 2008 | Reply
I really liked this article. When I look at such luxury cars, I have no words!!!
Bentley and Rolls Royce are real kings of the best cars.
And their Limousine is a king of limo cars.
These brands is only for chosen ones, not everyone can taste this power and luxury.
Such cars are produced in limited quantities and I am sure that not so many Limousine hire company may offer it.
Bentley and Rolls Royce will be always icons and my dream cars!
Dennis | Apr 8, 2008 | Reply
Toys for the big boys – that’s the best description of such exotic luxury cars. Rolls-Royce Phantom and other exotic luxury cars are definitely not in the same level as your ordinary car. These are high-end cars and limos that work several notches better than any other car during its prime. Sometimes, exotic cars are referred to as super cars. But however you call them, one thing’s certain – these are cars that make heads turn 180 degrees.