1949 Vincent-HRD 500cc Meteor

• Rare post-war Meteor
• Formerly part of the Shelley Collection
• Present ownership since 2018
• Requires recommissioning

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). 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 Vincent-HRD Meteor comes with a copy of it Works Order Form showing that it was despatched new on 25th August 1949 to 'Green, Newton Abbot', while the accompanying VOC Certificate of Authenticity confirms matching frame and engine numbers. In 1992, 'KFJ 349' was purchased for the Shelley Collection, well known for its complement of Vincent motorcycles. Bonhams sold the machine to a new owner at its Banbury Run Sale in June 2011 (Lot 191). The current vendor purchased the Vincent from Bonhams' Alexandra Palace sale in September 2018 (Lot 55), since when it has been kept in a temperature-controlled environment. Recommissioning will be required before the machine returns to the road. Additional paperwork includes an old-style continuation logbook (issued 1970); the 1992 purchase receipt; an expired MoT (2002); copies of old registration documents; the most recent V5C; and sundry restoration bills.