Halcyon Launches Great Eight Series with Rolls-Royce Corniche Restomod

Halcyon, a U.K.-based restoration house, has debuted its Great Eight series with a reimagined 1970s Rolls-Royce Corniche fixed-head coupe. The commission, named Rose and Scroll, features a modified 6.75-liter L-Series V-8 engine originally used in Rolls-Royce and Bentley vehicles from Crewe. Each vehicle requires 5,000 hours of handcrafted work in Surrey, England, and starts at 425,000 British pounds (approximately $574,500). The series will be limited to 60 examples, including 20 Corniche fixed-head coupes, 30 drophead versions, and 10 restomods of Rolls-Royce Silver Shadow and Bentley T-Series models. Modern upgrades include an adaptive suspension system, continuously controlled electronic dampers, drive modes (Drive, Spirited, Touring), and cabin features like Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, climate control, and driver assists. The exterior is finished in Arboretum Green, while the interior features tan upholstery and open-poor wood trim. A nearly 4.6-foot-long engraving in the Halcyon Gallery depicts the Surrey hills with a rose-and-scroll motif. Halcyon cofounder Charlie Metcalfe stated the engine feels authentic but more capable, and cofounder Matthew Pearson emphasized creating the best versions of these cars for today. The original Corniche fixed-head coupe was introduced in 1971 by coachbuilders H.J. Mulliner and Park Ward and ceased production in 1981. This debut occurred just five days before Rolls-Royce Motor Cars revealed its Project Nightingale concept on April 14.