Property of a deceased's estate, 1951 Vincent 998cc Series-C Touring Rapide

• Rare Touring-specification Rapide
• Matching numbers
• Present ownership since 1987
• Requires recommissioning

Ever since the Series A's arrival in 1937, the Vincent v-twin has been synonymous with design innovation, engineering excellence and superlative high performance. From Rollie Free's capture of the 'world's fastest production motorcycle' record in 1948 on a tuned 'Series B' Black Shadow to the final fully enclosed 'Series D' Black Knight and Black Prince, Philip Vincent's stress on appearance and performance is legendary. His machines bristled with innovative features including adjustable footrests, brake pedal, seat height and gear-change lever. The finish was to a very high standard commensurate with the cost of the machine, which was virtually double that of any of its contemporaries. But above all else it was the v-twin's stupendous performance that captivated motorcyclists, whether they could afford one or not. With a top speed approaching 120mph, and bettering it in the Black Shadow's case, the Vincent v-twin was the fastest road vehicle of its day.

In 1948 the Vincent range began to be up-dated from Series-B to Series-C specification. The most significant changes made concerned the suspension, there being a revised arrangement at the rear incorporating curved lugs for the seat stays and an hydraulic damper between the spring boxes, while at the front the new models boasted Vincent's own 'Girdraulic' fork: a blade-type girder fitted with twin hydraulic dampers. These advances began to find their way onto production models during 1948 but it would be 1950 before all Vincents left the factory in Series-C specification. Touring versions featured higher handlebars, valanced steel mudguards in black, and smaller wheels: 19" front, 18" rear.

VOC records show that 'F10AB/1/7286' and 'RC9186/D' is a Series-C Touring Rapide manufactured in July 1951 and delivered to a dealer called Albons in Shenfield, Essex. The Rapide was fitted with sidecar equipment and a Blacknell Sherwood sidecar. Being a touring model it was fitted with 19" front and 18" rear wheels, black painted steel touring mudguards and touring handlebars. 'TEV 511' was purchased by the deceased owner in 1987. The Vincent is recorded on the HPI report as an insurance loss but it was found by the late owner who carried on using it until his passing (see VOC notes concerning its theft and recovery). Not used recently, the machine should require only light recommissioning before returning to the road. Accompanying paperwork consists of the original and continuation old-style logbooks; old/current V5/V5C registration documents; and some expired MoTs.
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