Property of a deceased's estate, c.1952 Vincent 998cc Series-C Rapide

Registration no. not registered Frame no. To be advised (see text) Rear frame no. RC/1/11450/B Engine no. F10AB/1/5615 (see text) Crankcase mating no. KK96

• Non-matching engine
• An older restoration
• Requires re-commissioning

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 Series-D Black Knight and Black Prince, Philip Vincent's stress on appearance and performance is legendary. His machines bristled with innovative features including adjustable footrests, brake pedal, 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. With a top speed approaching 120mph, and bettering it in the Black Shadow's case, the Vincent v-twin was the fastest production motorcycle on sale anywhere. The basic design clearly had even greater potential though, which would be realised later in the form of the high-performance Black Shadow and Black Lightning models.

In 1948 the Vincent range began to be up-dated 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 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.

This Rapide consists of the rear frame from a Series-C Comet manufactured in October 1952; the engine from a Series-C Rapide manufactured in December 1950 (heavily stamped, it is believed by the factory); and an unidentified upper frame, the serial number of which is heavily over-painted. The crankcase mating numbers are correct. There are no documents with this Lot, which is offered for re-commissioning and sold strictly as viewed.