1955 Vincent 998cc Black Prince

Registration no. SXA 919 Frame no. RD13021 B/F Rear Frame No. RD13021 B/F Engine no. F10/AB/2B/11121 Crankcase Mating Numbers. K28V

• The ultimate Vincent v-twin
• Matching numbers
• One of the last Vincent motorcycles made

Ever since the Series-A's arrival in 1937, the Vincent v-twin had been synonymous with design innovation, engineering excellence, and superlative high performance. So in September 1955 when it was announced that production would cease, the news stunned the motorcycling world. It had been decided that the firm's future lay in more profitable lines of manufacture, and only 100 more of the fabulous v-twins would be completed. Vincent's final v-twin - the Series D - had been in production for just six months.

It had been Philip Vincent's belief that provision of ample weather protection combined with enclosure of engine and gearbox would make the Vincent Series D the ultimate 'gentleman's motorcycle', though delayed delivery of the glassfibre panels, plus continuing demand for traditionally styled models, resulted in over half the production leaving the Stevenage factory in un-enclosed form. The enclosed Rapide and Black Shadow were known as Black Knight and Black Prince respectively. When production ceased in December 1955, around 460 Series D v-twins had been built, some 200 of which were enclosed models.

Frame number '11121', this Black Prince is the 13th from last Vincent motorcycle made, having left the factory in December 1955. First owner Joseph Jenkins bought the Black Prince from the famous Vincent dealers Conway Motors of Shepherd's Bush, West London (see letter on file). An accompanying document lists a further seven owners including the current vendor, its owner since December 1998. The Black Prince was restored to its present condition in the late 1980s by Robin Blackwell and Phil Primmer for its then owner, Tim Pearcey. A record of all maintenance carried out since 1998 is in the file, which also contains instructions for the Grosset electric starter and electronic ignition distributor. An Alton generator provides reliable 12-volt electrics. The beautiful matching panniers were produced by Phil Primmer of West Country Sidecars of Fordingbridge, Hampshire, and larger-than-standard brakes have been fitted to enhance the stopping power. The engine is said to be in excellent condition, having been re-bored and fitted with new pistons in 2003, the cylinder heads being overhauled at the same time.

'SXA 919' has featured in The Classic Motor Cycle (August 1991 edition) and in Vincent – Classic Motorcycles by Duncan Wherrett. The machine has also won numerous VOC concours awards, most recently at the Annual Rally in 2001 ('Best Series D'). Last run in September 2020, this ultimate Vincent v-twin is offered with a spare parts list; BMS workshop manual; sundry bills; copies of previous registration documents; and a current V5C.