1955 Vincent 998cc Black Knight

• One of the rarest of post-war Vincents
• Two owners since 1966
• Present ownership since 1987
• All matching numbers
• Used occasionally, but most years until 2016
• On museum display since 2016

Philip Vincent believed that provision of ample weather protection combined with enclosure of engine and gearbox would make the Series-D the ultimate 'gentleman's motorcycle'. The enclosed Rapide and Black Shadow were known as the 'Black Knight' and 'Black Prince' respectively. Sadly, its creator's vision of the Series-D as a two-wheeled Grande Routière just did not conform to the public's perception of the Vincent as the ultimate sports motorcycle. The firm lost money on every machine made, and when production ceased in December 1955 around 460 Series-D v-twins had been built, some 200 of which were enclosed models.

This Black Knight was purchased by the current owner on 20th April 1987 having previously belonged to one Gareth Thomas Davies of Wrexham. Mr Davies had purchased the Vincent from Comerford's of Thames Ditton on 13th July 1966 (order form on file). Some restoration had been carried out by him, but not completed. The present owner kept a detailed personal logbook of work done, trips taken and mileage totals, together with some receipts/invoices. The recorded mileage when purchased was 33,429.

The present owner completed the restoration, fitting a new wiring harness, and returned the Vincent to the road. The machine was used on a VOC rally to Germany and a number of other trips before being laid up for a few years. The vendor then carried out a full strip and rebuild in 1995, including painting the cycle parts and rebuilding the engine/gearbox unit. During the renovation it was noted that the gearbox internals were very good. Use thereafter included a trip to the Isle of Man and a Continental tour in 2001 through Belgium, France, Germany, Switzerland and Italy. Another Continental tour was completed in 2002. Further trips were taken, including one to Scotland in 2003 and another to the Isle of Man Rally 2007. On 22/7/2007 the speedometer was removed for maintenance (removed one reading 47,997miles, temporary one fitted reading 35,662). The original speedometer was refitted on 23/8/07 and now reads 48,789 miles. The last recorded reading on the temporary speedometer was 36,454 miles. Last used on the road in 2012, the Vincent was placed on museum display in 2016 at 49,428 miles.

The Black Knight has a pair of detachable Craven panniers, plus a pair of new panniers made by Phil Primmer to a design by Neville Higgins. Having been on museum display since 2016, it will require recommissioning and basic safety checks before returning to the road. Accompanying documentation includes old/current V5/V5C documents; a quantity of invoices/receipts; some old MoTs and tax discs; and the aforementioned personal logbook.