Rolls-Royce Corniche II Tires

Rolls-Royce Corniche II uses one tire size across all model years from 1986 through 1992: 235/70R15. The available products for that fitment are all radial tires built for a 15-inch rim. Depending on the specific tire, listed rim width ranges run from 6.0 to 8.5 inches.

That makes Corniche II tire selection more straightforward than many collector cars, but wheel verification still matters. Check the actual wheel diameter on the car, confirm the wheel width falls within the tire maker’s range, and then choose the sidewall treatment that best fits the car’s appearance, whether that means blackwall, whitewall, redline, or raised white letter styling.

On a Rolls-Royce Corniche II, 235/70R15 is a modern metric radial size. The 235 is the nominal section width in millimeters, 70 is the aspect ratio, the R indicates radial construction, and 15 is the required rim diameter in inches. Some listings also show service descriptions such as 101V, 101H, or 102S, which identify load and speed ratings for that particular tire.

Understanding the code helps you compare products that share the same core size but differ in brand, sidewall style, or intended character. For a Corniche II, the key fitment point is that every tire in this group is built around a 15-inch wheel, so the decision is less about size decoding and more about matching the tire’s look and driving feel to the car.

Rolls-Royce Corniche II uses a 15-inch rim diameter throughout the 1986 to 1992 production run. Every listed tire for the model is built around that same 15-inch wheel size, with no rim diameter change across the years covered here. The available products also show compatible wheel width ranges that extend from 6.0 inches up to 8.5 inches depending on the specific tire.

Rim diameter is the first thing to verify because a 15-inch tire cannot safely mount on any other wheel diameter. Once that is confirmed, compare the actual wheel width on the car against the range given for the tire you are considering so the fit is appropriate both mechanically and visually.

Every 1986 through 1992 Rolls-Royce Corniche II in this range uses 235/70R15, so the size itself is consistent across the full run. The remaining checks are wheel diameter, wheel width, and the way the individual car is presented. Available tires in this size fit 15-inch wheels, with approved rim width ranges varying by product.

Start by reading the size on the tire currently fitted and measuring the wheel if there is any doubt about originality. Then compare the car’s use and presentation: a formal restored Corniche II may suit blackwall or whitewall styling, while a more personalized car may lean toward redline or raised white letter tires.

Rolls-Royce Corniche II tires are available in several sidewall styles within the correct 235/70R15 size. The listed choices include blackwall, narrow whitewall, wide whitewall, redline, and raised white letter designs. All of them are radial tires built for the model’s 15-inch wheel fitment.

Sidewall style has a strong effect on the car’s visual character even when the basic size stays the same. Owners aiming for a more formal luxury presentation usually gravitate toward blackwall or whitewall options, while redline and raised white letter tires create a more assertive period-custom or enthusiast look that may not suit every Corniche II restoration.

Four brands appear in the available Rolls-Royce Corniche II tire range: Cooper, Avon, BFGoodrich, and Michelin. Within those brands, the listed series include Cobra Radial G/T, Turbosteel 70 CR11B, Silvertown Radial, Michelin XVS, and Radial T/A. All are offered in the correct 235/70R15 fitment family for this model.

Brand choice on a Corniche II often comes down to the look you want and the character you expect from the tire. Some owners prioritize a more formal European-touring appearance, while others want a distinctly American sidewall treatment such as wide whitewall, redline, or raised white letter styling in the same basic size.

Rolls-Royce Corniche II is offered with several radial tire series in 235/70R15, including Cooper Cobra Radial G/T, Avon Turbosteel 70 CR11B, BFGoodrich Silvertown Radial, Michelin XVS, and BFGoodrich Radial T/A. The main differences within this group are branding, sidewall presentation, and the overall style each tire brings to the car rather than a change in basic fitment. Rim width ranges also vary somewhat from one series to another.

That means the right series depends on whether your Corniche II is being preserved as an elegant luxury car, restored with a traditional whitewall look, or presented with a more personalized late-classic stance. Once the 15-inch fitment and wheel width are confirmed, compare the sidewall styling and series character instead of assuming every radial in the size will present the car the same way.

A Rolls-Royce Corniche II should be stored in a cool, dry, dark space with the tires kept away from direct sunlight, ozone sources, and large temperature swings. Tires on a collector car age from time and environment as well as mileage, so a garage that is clean and climate-stable helps preserve both the rubber and the sidewall appearance. Proper inflation during storage also helps prevent flat spotting and casing stress.

If the Corniche II sits for extended periods, move it occasionally or support it in a way that reduces long-term point loading on one section of the tread. Keeping the car clean, the tires properly inflated, and the storage environment controlled will usually matter more than how much tread remains on a low-use collector tire.

Tires on a Rolls-Royce Corniche II should be inspected regularly even if the car is driven only occasionally. Look for sidewall cracking, tread separation, bulges, punctures, uneven wear, and any air loss, and include the spare in the routine. A large luxury car places real demands on its tires, so condition matters as much as appearance.

A practical routine is to check the tires before every drive and give them a more careful inspection at least seasonally. If the Corniche II has been parked for a long time, inspect the tires before returning it to road use and pay close attention to age-related changes that may not be obvious from tread depth alone.

Rolls-Royce Corniche II tires should be replaced when age, cracking, hardening, vibration, casing damage, or persistent air loss indicates the tire is no longer serviceable, even if the tread still looks substantial. Collector cars often wear out their tires by time rather than miles. That is especially true on a low-use luxury car that may spend long periods parked between drives.

A tire can look presentable and still be too old or too compromised for trustworthy road use. The smart approach is to have older tires evaluated during routine service and to replace them when age-related deterioration appears, rather than waiting for tread wear to make the decision for you.

Rolls-Royce Corniche II uses 235/70R15 in the fitment range covered here, but several radial series are available in that size rather than one single product. The available offerings include Michelin XVS, Avon Turbosteel 70 CR11B, BFGoodrich Silvertown Radial, Cooper Cobra Radial G/T, and BFGoodrich Radial T/A. That means the size is clear, while the exact original brand or sidewall treatment for a specific car should be verified against the car’s own history.

For a serious restoration, size correctness is only the first step. Owners pursuing factory-authentic presentation should compare surviving photos, delivery records, and marque-club guidance so the tire’s sidewall style and overall appearance suit the individual Corniche II rather than just the general model range.

Correct tire fitment can affect both the judged authenticity and the perceived value of a Rolls-Royce Corniche II, particularly on well-restored or well-preserved examples. Judges and knowledgeable buyers notice whether the car carries the proper 235/70R15 size and whether the sidewall presentation matches the car’s era and character. A luxury touring Rolls-Royce can look markedly different depending on whether it wears blackwalls, whitewalls, or more performance-oriented lettering.

That does not mean every Corniche II must wear the same style, but the tire should look intentional and historically believable. If the car is headed for concours or marque judging, use club standards and period imagery to decide whether a formal blackwall or whitewall presentation is more appropriate than a sportier enthusiast-style sidewall.

Rolls-Royce Corniche II tires are available in blackwall, narrow whitewall, wide whitewall, redline, and raised white letter forms within the correct 235/70R15 size. For most formal restorations, blackwall or whitewall treatments will look more consistent with the Corniche II’s luxury character than redline or raised white letter styling. All of the listed styles share the same basic 15-inch radial fitment, so the distinction is primarily visual.

Choosing the correct sidewall comes down to the exact presentation goal for the car. A conservative restoration usually benefits from blackwall or whitewall tires, while a personalized or non-judged Corniche II may intentionally use a more assertive sidewall style if that better matches the owner’s taste and the car’s overall finish.

Modern-production radial tires in the correct 235/70R15 size can be suitable for public-road use on a Rolls-Royce Corniche II when they are in good condition, properly mounted on 15-inch wheels, and correctly inflated for service. All listed options for this model are radial designs rather than antique or bias-ply constructions. Condition, age, and correct wheel match remain just as important as size.

Public-road safety depends on the whole package, not just the sidewall code. Before regular use, make sure the Corniche II’s suspension, brakes, steering, and wheel condition are sound, and choose a tire whose approved rim width range matches the wheel actually fitted to the car.

Before driving a Rolls-Royce Corniche II, check tire pressure, visible tire condition, tread and sidewall integrity, wheel security, and any sign of age-related cracking or flat spotting. Confirm that all four tires are the same basic size and construction and that the spare is serviceable. On a collector car, long periods of inactivity can create issues even when mileage is low.

A short pre-drive inspection is especially worthwhile after the car has been stored. If the Corniche II shows vibration, pull, unusual noise, or any change in steering feel, stop and inspect the tires and wheels before continuing, since those symptoms often appear before a tire problem becomes obvious at a glance.

A Rolls-Royce Corniche II should be driven at speeds appropriate to the tire’s individual service description, present condition, and the overall condition of the car. Within this fitment group, some tires are marked with ratings such as 101V, 101H, or 102S, but age and condition matter more than the symbol on the sidewall if the tire is old or compromised. A collector car’s real-world safe speed is always limited by its weakest component.

The sensible approach is to treat the tire as part of a complete system rather than as an isolated rating number. If the Corniche II is on fresh, properly fitted tires and is mechanically sound, it can be used more confidently than a car riding on older rubber; if there is any doubt about age or condition, keep speeds conservative until the tires are professionally evaluated.