Property of a deceased's estate, 1955 Vincent 998cc Black Knight

• Matching numbers (frame, engine, registration)
• Two owners from new
• Believed unused since 1978
• Present ownership since 2005
• Highly original 'time warp' condition
• Offered for recommissioning/restoration

It had been Philip Vincent's belief that provision of ample weather protection combined with enclosure of engine and gearbox, would make the Vincent 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.

Other Series-D innovations included a new frame and rear suspension; a steel tube replaced the original fabricated upper member/oil tank while the paired spring boxes gave way to a single hydraulic coil-spring/damper unit offering a generous seven inches of suspension travel. In place of the integral oil reservoir there was a separate tank beneath the seat. The user-friendly hand-operated centre stand was a welcome addition, and there were many improvements to the peerless v-twin engine including coil ignition for easier starting and Amal Monobloc carburettors. Sadly though, the Shadow's magnificent 5"-diameter Smiths speedometer had been replaced by a standard 3" unit.

Unfortunately for Philip Vincent, his 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.

The accompanying photocopy old-style logbook records that this Vincent Black Knight was supplied to Wests (Lincoln) Ltd before being sold to the first owner, a Mr George Brown of Newark, who bequeathed the machine to the late owner, for whom we are selling it. The logbook entry has been completed with a couple of obvious clerical errors, but nevertheless confirms matching numbers.

Fitted with Rodark touring panniers and contemporary Vokes air filters, the machine is offered in age-related and believed unrestored condition; indeed, there can be few surviving examples retaining such an original finish. The odometer reading is 50,875 miles and there is a 1978 tax disc present, which may well be the last time the Vincent was ridden. A beautifully patinated 'time warp' example, ripe for sympathetic restoration, the machine will require careful recommissioning at the very least, and possibly more extensive restoration, before returning to the road (the engine turns over).

Accompanying paperwork includes a V5C listing the late owner and previous keeper George Brown; an incomplete and 'cancelled' old V5; assorted DVLA correspondence; and the aforementioned photocopy old-style logbook, the DVLA having destroyed the original in 1978 when a V5 was issued (see note on file). It should be noted that, while the machine appears on the DVLA database, it does not appear on the HPI database, presumably due to the lack of road use and/or taxation since 1978. The machine also comes with a Vincent spare parts list; copy Series-D maintenance instructions; a reproduction spare parts list; a selection of tools and one key.
Offered with key