1950 Vincent 498cc Series-C Comet

Registration no. MKP 68 Frame no. RC/1/5941 Rear Frame No. RC/1/5941 Engine no. F5AB/2A/4602 (see text) Crankcase Mating No. 95K / 95K

• Present family ownership since 1964
• Off the road in dry storage for many years
• Rebuilt from parts in 2004
• Last run in 2019

Unlike in pre-war days, when the first (Series-A) Vincent-HRD v-twin had been created by - in effect - combining two of the existing singles, post-WW2 Vincent's approach was reversed, with the Series-B twin appearing first, in 1946, and the single-cylinder version in 1948. The latter was offered in two forms initially: Series-B Meteor and Series-C Comet. Apart from its Burman gearbox and 'missing' cylinder, the Comet followed Series-C twin lines, featuring the newly introduced Girdraulic front fork and hydraulic dampers at front and rear, while the Meteor retained the old Brampton girders. The Meteor was soon dropped but the Comet continued in production until 1954, offering the same degree of refinement as its bigger brother, albeit with reduced performance. Even so, the Comet combined a 90mph potential with excellent fuel economy, and was the ideal touring mount for the discerning rider who placed civility of manners and quality of construction above outright performance. An expensive machine to produce, the Comet did not sell as well as its maker had hoped and was dropped when the Series-D range was introduced.

First registered in May 1950, this Comet was acquired by the vendor's father in 1964, incomplete and with no paperwork, from a scrap merchant for £2. It was to provide some spares for the owner's Vincent Rapide. After using some parts for the Rapide, others were given away and the remains put under the bench and forgotten. In 2003, it was decided to try and recreate the Comet from the parts that had survived 40 years of neglect (photograph on file). Thanks to fellow VOC members, the VOC Spares Co, and Vinparts, all the missing parts were assembled in 2004. Fortunately, the original registration number was recovered with the help of the VOC.

The paintwork is mostly original and the bike is deliberately in 'oily rag' condition, while the electrics have been converted to 12V (original Miller dynamo with bike). The centre stand is not an original fitting but is said make life so much easier. The rear numberplate came from an Argentinean Vincent! After some initial problems with a supposedly rebuilt bottom end, the Comet ran well, covering 10,000 miles over the next eight years. The Vincent last ran in 2019. The machine comes with a good file of history to include restoration photographs and bills; owner's journal of the restoration; riding logbook; VOC Certificate of Authenticity; a quantity of expired MoTs; SORN paperwork; and old/current V5C documents. Re-commissioning will be required before returning the machine to the road. It should be noted the engine fitted is not the original and featured part of another 1950 Comet despatched to Williams of Cheltenham.
Offered without key