1950 Vincent-HRD 499cc Series-B Meteor

Registration no. KYP 211 (see text) Frame no. R/1/4930 Rear frame no. R/1/4930 Engine no. F5AB/2/3030 Crankcase mating no. 62A/62A

• Barn find
• Rare post-war single-cylinder model
• Matching frame and engine numbers
• Believed single family ownership from new
• Offered for restoration

The Vincent-HRD marque originated in 1928 when Philip C Vincent acquired the name, jigs, tools and patterns of the recently liquidated HRD Company. ('HRD' stood for Howard Raymond Davies, the Isle of Man TT winner who had founded the firm in 1924). Vincent moved production from Wolverhampton to Stevenage and set about putting his motorcycle design ideas into practice, commencing with an innovative sprung frame that would remain a feature of Vincent motorcycles until production ceased in 1955.

Like Davies before him, Vincent relied on proprietary engines until increasing dissatisfaction with suppliers led to the creation of Vincent's own 500cc single in 1934, which was later doubled up to create the legendary Series-A Rapide v-twin. Post-war this situation was reversed, with an all-new v-twin appearing first, in May 1946, followed by the single-cylinder version in 1949. The latter was offered in two forms initially – Series-B Meteor and Series-C Comet – the main differences between the two being the new Girdraulic front fork fitted to the latter, while the former retained the old Brampton girders, and the Meteor's slightly smaller carburettor. When production of Series-B models was phased out during 1950 the Meteor disappeared from the range, making it one of the rarer of post-war Vincent-HRDs.

This rare, matching-numbers Vincent-HRD Meteor was delivered new to Jack Surtees' dealership in London in January 1950 and is believed to have had only one owner (the vendor's late father) from new. Showing 16,202 miles on the odometer, the Vincent was last on the road in 1958 and has been stored by the family since then (the last tax disc is still in the holder). Offered for restoration and sold strictly as viewed, the machine comes with documentation consisting of assorted correspondence and sundry bills from the 1950s, including some from the factory and Vincent specialist, George Brown.

It should be noted that the registration 'KYP 211' is not recorded in the DVLA or HPI databases. Accordingly, prospective purchasers must satisfy themselves with regard to this motorcycle's registration status prior to bidding.
Offered without key