LOT 512
1951 Vincent 998cc Series-C Touring Rapide Registration no. PHA 421 Frame no. RC 7099 Engine no. F10AB/1/5199 Crankcase mating nos. JJ50 / JJ50
Sold for £34,500 inc. premium
Lot 512
1951 Vincent 998cc Series-C Touring RapideRegistration no. PHA 421 Frame no. RC 7099 Engine no. F10AB/1/5199 Crankcase mating nos. JJ50 / JJ50
1951 Vincent 998cc Series-C Touring Rapide
Registration no. PHA 421
Frame no. RC 7099
Engine no. F10AB/1/5199 Crankcase mating nos. JJ50 / JJ50
Registration no. PHA 421
Frame no. RC 7099
Engine no. F10AB/1/5199 Crankcase mating nos. JJ50 / JJ50
Rear Frame No. RC 7099
• Matching frame, engine, and registration numbers
• Present family ownership since 1992
• Not used for the last five or so years
• Requires re-commissioning/restoration
Ever since the Series A's arrival in 1937, the Vincent v-twin has been synonymous with design innovation, engineering excellence, and superlative high performance. From Rollie Free's capture of the 'world's fastest production motorcycle' record in 1948 on a tuned Series-B Black Shadow to the final fully enclosed Black Knight and Black Prince, Philip Vincent's stress on appearance and performance is legendary. His machines bristled with innovative features: adjustable brake pedal, footrests, seat height, and gear-change lever. The finish was to a very high standard commensurate with the cost of the machine, which was virtually double that of any of its contemporaries. But above all else it was the v-twin's stupendous performance that captivated motorcyclists, whether they could afford one or not.
Introduced in 1946, the Vincent-HRD Series-B Rapide was immediately the fastest production motorcycle on sale anywhere, with a top speed approaching 120mph. The basic design clearly had even greater potential though, which would be realised later in the form of the Black Shadow and Black Lightning models. In 1948 the Vincent range began to be updated to 'Series-C' specification. The most significant changes made concerned the suspension, there being a revised arrangement at the rear incorporating curved lugs for the seat stays and an hydraulic damper between the spring boxes, while at the front the new models boasted Vincent's own 'Girdraulic' fork: a blade-type girder fitted with twin hydraulic dampers. These advances and other cosmetic differences began to find their way onto production models during 1948 but it would be 1950 before all Vincents left the factory in Series-C specification.
Vincent Owners Club records confirm that this machine, with engine number 'F10AB/1/5199', crankcase mating number 'JJ50', and frame number 'RC 7099', is a Series-C Touring Rapide that was despatched to Copes of Dudley in October 1950 and registered as 'PHA 421'. The 'HRD' (or 'Vincent') has been ground off the crankcases and the engine number stamped above the usual place. There are several other engines around this number that are similar, so it seems correct. It is likely that the crankcases had the cast-in 'HRD' removed as the factory had changed over to 'Vincent' by then and was using up a stock of old 'HRD' cases.
'PHA 421' was purchased by the lady vendor's late husband in 1992 and has been kept in dry storage, unused, for the last five or so years. Accordingly, the machine will require re-commissioning at the very least or possibly more extensive restoration before returning to the road. Offered with a V5C document.
• Matching frame, engine, and registration numbers
• Present family ownership since 1992
• Not used for the last five or so years
• Requires re-commissioning/restoration
Ever since the Series A's arrival in 1937, the Vincent v-twin has been synonymous with design innovation, engineering excellence, and superlative high performance. From Rollie Free's capture of the 'world's fastest production motorcycle' record in 1948 on a tuned Series-B Black Shadow to the final fully enclosed Black Knight and Black Prince, Philip Vincent's stress on appearance and performance is legendary. His machines bristled with innovative features: adjustable brake pedal, footrests, seat height, and gear-change lever. The finish was to a very high standard commensurate with the cost of the machine, which was virtually double that of any of its contemporaries. But above all else it was the v-twin's stupendous performance that captivated motorcyclists, whether they could afford one or not.
Introduced in 1946, the Vincent-HRD Series-B Rapide was immediately the fastest production motorcycle on sale anywhere, with a top speed approaching 120mph. The basic design clearly had even greater potential though, which would be realised later in the form of the Black Shadow and Black Lightning models. In 1948 the Vincent range began to be updated to 'Series-C' specification. The most significant changes made concerned the suspension, there being a revised arrangement at the rear incorporating curved lugs for the seat stays and an hydraulic damper between the spring boxes, while at the front the new models boasted Vincent's own 'Girdraulic' fork: a blade-type girder fitted with twin hydraulic dampers. These advances and other cosmetic differences began to find their way onto production models during 1948 but it would be 1950 before all Vincents left the factory in Series-C specification.
Vincent Owners Club records confirm that this machine, with engine number 'F10AB/1/5199', crankcase mating number 'JJ50', and frame number 'RC 7099', is a Series-C Touring Rapide that was despatched to Copes of Dudley in October 1950 and registered as 'PHA 421'. The 'HRD' (or 'Vincent') has been ground off the crankcases and the engine number stamped above the usual place. There are several other engines around this number that are similar, so it seems correct. It is likely that the crankcases had the cast-in 'HRD' removed as the factory had changed over to 'Vincent' by then and was using up a stock of old 'HRD' cases.
'PHA 421' was purchased by the lady vendor's late husband in 1992 and has been kept in dry storage, unused, for the last five or so years. Accordingly, the machine will require re-commissioning at the very least or possibly more extensive restoration before returning to the road. Offered with a V5C document.
Footnotes
As with all Lots in the Sale, this Lot is sold 'as is/where is' and Bidders must satisfy themselves as to the provenance, condition, age, completeness and originality prior to bidding.
Additional information
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