Classic Obsession: Rolls-Royce Corniche | Will This Rolls-Royce Start After 14 Years?

Every classic car enthusiast dreams of reviving a barn-find Rolls-Royce, and in this episode of Classic Obsession, Gary Mavers attempts to bring a Rolls-Royce Corniche Drophead back to life after 14 years of sitting idle. But before tackling the big moment, he finishes rebuilding the hubs on his black Corniche, paints its rear wing, and fits a restored bumper.

Gary first wraps up the hub rebuild on his black Corniche, ensuring it’s roadworthy:

• New bearings & brake discs installed
• Half-axles & universal joints replaced, extending the car’s longevity
• New brake pads fitted—because there’s no point in doing the job halfway

As he prepares to refit the hub, Gary spots an unexpected issue - a leaking oil seal dripping fluid onto the driveway. Rather than ignore it, he decides to replace it now before it worsens.

“No shortcuts! This is the time to fix it properly!” 

With the new oil seal installed, the hub assembly is reinstalled, and a quick axle oil check ensures everything is sealed and ready.

Newly Restored Bumper & Rear Wing Paint

After weeks away in Los Angeles, Gary is thrilled to finally refit his newly chromed rear bumper:

• Chrome restoration by Douglas Chrome Finishes ensures a flawless result.
• Rear wing freshly painted—final polish pending before refitting.

With the black Corniche almost road-ready, it’s time for the main event: starting the barn-find Rolls-Royce.

The red Rolls-Royce Corniche has been sitting for 14 years, completely untouched. Gary sets out to see if it will fire up with minimal intervention.

Pre-Start Checks:

• Coolant system: Dry as a bone—Gary plans only a short test run.
• LHM fluid levels: One side is low, requiring a top-up.
• Engine oil: Good level, but a change will be needed.
• Fuel tank: Surprisingly empty, avoiding the issue of stale fuel.

“I’d normally drain the tank, but it looks like someone’s already done the job for me.” 

Gary disconnects the ignition coil to crank the engine first, ensuring oil circulates before starting.

• Fuel pump check: Initially silent, but kicks in after adding more fuel.
• Ignition ON: Low coolant warning appears, but all other systems seem fine.
• First attempt: No start—pump struggles to prime.
• More fuel added: Second attempt, and… it starts instantly! ????
• Smooth Running Against the Odds

Despite 14 years off the road, the Rolls-Royce Corniche purrs to life, idling smoothly with no immediate issues.

“Two Rolls-Royces, both off the road for over a decade, and they both start almost instantly. That’s the magic of a Rolls.”

With the red Corniche running, Gary reflects on how remarkable these cars are:

• His black Corniche sat for 16 years and also started on the first try.
• The red Corniche needed only fresh fuel to fire up after 14 years.
• Rolls-Royce engineering proves why these cars are legendary.

Final Steps & Future Plans:

• The engine bay needs cleaning, with moldy components requiring replacement.
• A full fuel system flush & new filters will be completed before regular driving.
• New upholstery and minor bodywork will be tackled in upcoming episodes.

“Hearing that engine come to life after 14 years is one of the most satisfying moments in classic car restoration.”

IntroCar is the leading international supplier of Rolls-Royce & Bentley parts, providing specialists and enthusiasts with expert knowledge and an unmatched range of original, aftermarket, recycled, and reconditioned components. We are proud to support Gary Mavers of the Classic Obsession YouTube channel, supplying the essential parts for his Rolls-Royce Corniche restoration projects. While Gary works on a variety of classic cars, his meticulous approach to maintaining and restoring Rolls-Royce models aligns with our commitment to keeping these iconic vehicles on the road.