1937 Vincent-HRD 499cc Series-A Meteor

Registration no. 175 YUB (see text) Frame no. D1382 Rear Frame no. D1382 Engine no. M591

• Full matching numbers (upper and rear frames, engine, gearbox, oil pump
• Present ownership since 2007
• Restored since acquisition
• Local 'Best in Show' winner
• Bronze cylinder head

A letter on file states this beautiful Vincent-HRD Meteor was dispatched to Conway Motors on 12th August 1937. The upper and rear frame, engine, gearbox and oil pump numbers match the Works Order Form. '175 YUB' was owned by Walter Crocker (now deceased) of St Albans for 40 years and in 1995 belonged to Peter Woodhead, also of St Albans. On 24th April 2007, the Meteor was sold as a restoration project to the current vendor in the UK. A bronze cylinder head in very good condition was included in the sale.

The restoration took around four years with the assistance of various marque specialists. The initial intention was to rebuild the machine to Comet Special specification complete with Brooklands silencer and Amal TT carburettor. When it came to fit the engine, the carburettor's long inlet tract fouled the frame. The late, great Bob Stafford suggested the standard Comet specification was fine for a road bike. The engine and gearbox rebuilds were duly completed by Bob Dunn to Comet specification around 10 years ago, including a bespoke alloy cylinder muff and the aforementioned bronze cylinder head. The Brooklands silencer split after a few months, so a standard silencer was purchased from Bob Culver. Other noteworthy features include the following:

• Correct Series-A Brampton forks
• Rebuilt Miller magdyno
• Conway's clutch
• Period Miller horn button and stop light switch
• Dunlop wheel rims (re-chromed)
• Post-war Amal carburettor (pre-Monobloc)
• Solid state regulator fitted behind toolbox
• 6v dry battery with charging harness fitted inside 'Oldham' battery case

The Meteor was ridden to a local classic motorcycle show in 2012 where it won 'Best in Show' award. It has not been ridden during the Covid period but has been started occasionally after preliminary oil priming and fuel checks; the last time the engine ran was on 15th January 2022. The owner says it has been a privilege to bring this wonderful machine back to life but now feels the time has comes to pass it on to the next custodian.

Supporting documents within the very well organised file include, but are not limited to, photographs taken before, during and after restoration; frame number rubbings; DVLA documents; expired tax discs; engine rebuild details with various receipts in excess of £9,000; VOC Dating Certificate issued March 2021; and a copy of the Works Order Form. A video of the engine running is available on request. The original registration 'EGY 986' has been applied for and it is hoped that a V5C document will have been issued by time of sale.
Offered without key