1938 Vincent HRD 498cc Series-A Comet

Registration no. EVU 557 Frame no. D1499 Rear Frame no. D1499 Engine no. C846 Crankcase Mating no. 40 / 40

• Rare Series A
• Engraved signature to engine by Phil Irving
• Matching numbers machine
• Owned since 1972

In 1927, HRD was placed in voluntary liquidation by its founder, Howard Davies. It was acquired by young engineer Philip Vincent, with financial backing from his father. Unimpressed by the standard of 'bought-in' engines, Vincent and fellow engineer Phil Irving designed their own engine for 1934, incorporating their high-camshaft layout. Initial models with this engine were the Meteor and Comet, later variations being the Comet Special and the TT model. The Rapide twin was to follow in 1936, but production lasted only until war broke out in 1939.

The vendor purchased EVU 557 in his native USA in 1972, when it was in a poor state. It had originally been registered in the UK, and probably travelled to USA in the late 1960s, as evidenced by the continuation duplicate RF60 on file, which shows that the bike resided in the Cheshire and Chester areas during the late 50s and early 60s, being last taxed in 1963. When acquired, the bike was in poor condition, necessitating renovation / restoration by the owner, which he completed in approximately two years. Thereafter, the Comet was used by him regularly for touring in USA and Canada, for club rallies and events. The vendor was friendly with one of the brains behind Vincent, Phil Irving, who would visit the vendor in Washington State on regular occasions with his wife, Edith. On one of the visits in 1983, Irving decided that he should sign the vendor's Comet, having been responsible for its existence, and this he duly did with an engraving pen on the Comet's timing chest. The signature is still evident, and the event was recorded on a photograph (see photos).

The bike was in regular use until the owner moved to the UK in 2018. It was shipped to the UK, and reallocated its original Manchester registration mark. Unfortunately, the vendor has some health problems which have curtailed his riding career, hence the sale of his much-loved machine. Running and working well when last in use, EVU should need only light re-commissioning prior to use by a new custodian. The Comet is running on Castor engine oil, and a quantity of the lubricant comes with the bike, along with assorted spare parts.

The history file includes photocopies of the Engine Specification Sheet and Works Order Form, which detail that this Comet was originally equipped with Amal carburettor, Miller magdyno, TT bars, and Dunlop saddle. It still has the original engine, upper frame, and rear frame. The gearbox number was not recorded. Other documentation accompanying EVU 557 includes a current V5C, the aforementioned duplicate continuation RF60 log book, US Title document, and miscellaneous papers. It is presently declared SORN.
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