1955 Vincent 998cc Series-D Black Prince

• Matching-numbers example
• Present ownership since 2015
• Professionally restored by recognised marque specialists
• Immaculate condition

Ever since the Series-A's arrival in 1937, the Vincent v-twin had been synonymous with design innovation, engineering excellence, and superlative high performance. So in September 1955 when it was announced that production would cease, the news stunned the motorcycling world. It had been decided that the firm's future lay in more profitable lines of manufacture, and only 100 more of the fabulous v-twins would be completed. Vincent's final v-twin - the Series D - had been in production for just six months.

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', though 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. The enclosed Rapide and Black Shadow were known as Black Knight and Black Prince respectively. When production ceased in December 1955, around 460 Series D v-twins had been built, some 200 of which were enclosed models.

The private vendor advises us that this Black Prince was acquired from Mr David Stanley of Cambridgeshire, who is believed to have purchased it from Mr Frank Dillon of Crawley, Surrey. Mr Dillon is listed as owner on the old V5 document, which shows the Vincent was first registered on 5th July 1955, with no former keepers recorded since October 1977. Please note, the original buff logbook is not in the file, so the earlier ownership history cannot be determined. The frame and engine are matching, and the machine is accompanied by a Vincent Owners Club certificate issued in July 2023.

The VOC advise that 'F10AB/2B/10964' and 'RD12864B/F' are the numbers of a Series D Black Prince manufactured in 1955. The registration 'RLX 129' was issued in London, but as the factory records are missing for the Series D machines it cannot be determined where the bike went to and the exact date of manufacture. Various owners are known to the VOC, the earliest ownership record relating to one A Fielding of Hertfordshire who reported the bike/registration in the 1959 VOC Yearbook.

Our vendor purchased the Back Prince in September 2015 and kept it off the road until late September 2023, by which time the restoration process was nearing completion. As one may imagine, it was a lengthy and meticulous journey to bring the bike to concours condition, with everyone involved committed to restoring it as close to original factory specification as possible.

The engine was professionally rebuilt by Bob Culver - a former factory employee well known within the Vincent community - at a cost of approximately £9,123. A detailed three-page invoice outlining the parts used and work carried out is in the file.

The speedometer was rebuilt using genuine parts sourced from the VOC (see invoice on file totalling £224.51), while the forks were rebuilt in 2016 by marque specialists Maughan & Sons at an approximate cost of £1,144 (see three invoices on file detailing parts and labour).

Vincent specialists Conway Motors of Nettlestead, Kent restored and assembled the Black Prince in 2023. The total cost was approximately £16,127, and there are three invoices on file detailing parts used and work carried out. Conways conducted multiple test rides of the Vincent in 2023 with their local test rider before final delivery.

The Black Prince has covered approximately 500 miles since the rebuild's completion, with around 100 miles ridden in 2025, including a 60-plus mile journey to deliver it to Bonhams. A recent video of it running is available online. The machine is offered with a current V5C Registration Certificate; the aforementioned part old V5; 1978 and 1979 tax discs; a Harper Engines parts list; and a Rider's Handbook labelled 'Stanley Cross, Kings Lynn, Norfolk' (a previous owner?).
Offered with key