1954 Vincent 998cc Series-C Black Shadow

Registration no. UPJ 745 Frame no. RC12034/B Rear frame no. RC12034/B Engine no. F10/AB/1B/10,134 (see text) Crankcase Mating no. C38V/C38V

• Factory stamped matching numbers
• Fully documented ownership history
• Single-family ownership since 1989
• Engine rebuilt in 1994
• Professionally re-commissioned for sale

Ever since the Series A Rapide's arrival in 1937, the Vincent v-twin has been synonymous with design innovation, engineering excellence and superlative high performance. The appeal of the Vincent, and the 120mph-plus Black Shadow in particular, lay in its ability to out-perform just about every other vehicle on the road, and in the early post-war years there was nothing to compare with it. This was a time when the average family saloon was barely capable of reaching 70mph, and not until the advent of Jaguar's XK120 was there a production sports car that could live with the thundering v-twins from Stevenage.

Sold new by Millars Motors of Mitcham, Surrey, this magnificent and much travelled Black Shadow comes with its original and continuation logbooks tracing the machine's ownership history from new up to 1975 when it was registered to Piers Timothy Pearcey, while a (photocopy) V5 records Mr Pearcey as the owner immediately preceding the lady vendor's late husband, who acquired the Vincent in 1989.

Offered from long-term single-family ownership, 'UPJ 745' comes with a substantial file of history including VOC correspondence confirming matching frame and engine numbers, and a bill relating to an engine rebuild by Bob Dunn carried out in 1994. The file also contains numerous other bills and a substantial quantity of tax discs and MoTs, the earliest of the latter dating back to 1967 (the last MoT expired in 2014). 'UPJ 745' also comes with a large album of photographs recording the owners' trip to New Zealand with their Black Shadow. Also included in the sale are various instruction manuals and marque-related books, and a copy of an article featuring the late owner's Vincents published in The Classic Motor Cycle's August 1991 edition.

With its sale in mind, the Vincent was extensively re-commissioned in late 2021 by Classic Bike Workshop of Fleet Hampshire, whose detailed bill for £2,447 is on file. The vendor advises us that the Shadow is running well, its engine being described as mechanically healthy, quiet and smoke-free. Gear selection is said to be excellent, with the original clutch working well. The electrics were tested recently and are all in order. The only faults notified are a noisy alternator and a slight oil leak. All in all this is an exceptionally well documented and well cared for Black Shadow, benefiting from long-term enthusiast ownership and offered fresh from professional re-commissioning, ready to enjoy. It should be noted that other engines built at around the same time as this one also have a ',' stamped in the number, which according to the VOC looks like a quirk attributable to one of the fitters.
Offered with key