1951 Vincent 998cc Series-C Black Shadow

• Present family ownership since 2001
• Dry stored since last ridden in 2017
• Requires recommissioning

This Series-C Black Shadow previously belonged to the lady vendor's late father, Gordon Hemms, who acquired it in 2001. The Vincent was passed to our vendor in 2015. Displaying a total of 13,229 miles on the 5" Smiths speedometer's odometer at time of photography/cataloguing, the Shadow was last ridden in November 2017, since when it has been dry stored. Following a period of inactivity, the machine will require recommissioning to a greater or lesser extent before further use and thus is sold strictly as viewed.

A sidecar-gearing rear sprocket is currently fitted because, according to the vendor, her father preferred to ride the machine in this lower-geared form. However, two new sprockets for solo use are included in the sale together with some other spares and a few tools.

Vincent Owners' Club records show that engine number 'F10AB/1B/7237' originally formed part of a Series-C Black Shadow built in July 1951 and originally registered as 'MGK 445'.

The rear frame member, number 'RC/1/7381', is originally from a Series-C Comet that left the factory in November 1950. Bonhams has been unable to establish the origin of the upper frame member currently fitted to this Vincent; the upper frame is stamped 'RC/9137', which suggests that it began life in a Comet; it is also of a later type than one would expect to find in a machine built in 1951 (as advised by the Vincent Owners' Club). The accompanying RF.60 logbook (issued in 1962) records the frame number as 'RC/9137', indicating that the upper frame may have been changed/restamped prior to 1962. Therefore, as with all lots in this sale, prospective purchasers must satisfy themselves with regard to this motorcycle's authenticity, completeness and correctness as well as the status and validity of the registration number prior to bidding.

Additional paperwork includes old/current V5/V5C documents; VOC dating certificates from 2001 (x2); expired MoTs and tax discs; various VOC Spares and other receipts; and the 2001 handwritten purchase receipt, the seller being a Mr B Herbert.