Property of a deceased's estate, 1955 Vincent 998cc Series-D Rapide

Registration no. RYE 421 Frame no. RD12929 Rear Frame No. RD12929 Engine no. F10AB/2/11029 Crankcase Mating No. J29V / J29V

• Matching numbers
• Present ownership since 2002
• Stored for some time
• Requires re-commissioning

The Vincent v-twin had been synonymous with design innovation, engineering excellence, and superlative high performance since the Series A's arrival in 1937. So in September 1955 when it was revealed that production of the Stevenage-built machines would cease, the news stunned the motorcycling world. It had been decided that the firm's future lay in more profitable lines of manufacture, and just 100 more of the fabulous v-twins would be completed. By the time its demise was announced, Vincent's final twin - the Series D - had been in production for just six months.

It had been Philip Vincent's belief that provision of ample weather protection combined with enclosure of engine and gearbox, would make the Series D the ultimate 'gentleman's motorcycle' and to reflect this change of emphasis the enclosed Rapide and Black Shadow were known as Black Knight and Black Prince respectively. In actuality, delayed delivery of the glassfibre panels - plus continuing demand for traditionally styled models - resulted in over half the production leaving the Stevenage factory in un-enclosed form. Its creator's vision of the Series D as a two-wheeled Grand Routier just did not conform to the public's perception of the Vincent as the ultimate sports-bike. The firm lost money on every machine made and when production ceased in December 1955 only 460 Series D v-twins had been built.

The Vincent Owners' Club has kindly confirmed that 'RYE 421' is a matching-numbers Series D Rapide manufactured in 1955. The original RF.60 logbook on file shows that the Vincent was supplied to Claude Rye Ltd of Fulham Road, London SW6 and registered by them as a 'Sidecar Bicycle' on 10th May 1956. It was then sold to one A Davies on 16th July 1956, subsequently passing to Henry James Hales of West Tilbury (date stamp illegible). On 28th February 2002 the Vincent was purchased by the late owner from a Mr Stephen Hales of Chelmsford (perhaps the son of the above). Henry Hales is believed to have owned the machine since at least 1959. VOC correspondence on file states that the Rapide features in VOC yearbooks for 1959, '62, and '68 while in Mr Hales' ownership. 'RYE 421' was last taxed until 28.02.2005 and has been SORN'd since 2005. The Rapide has remained off the road since then and will require re-commissioning and/or restoration to a greater or lesser extent before further use (the engine turns over). Sold strictly as viewed, the machine comes with a current V5C and a file of documentation.
Offered with key