1949 Vincent 998cc Series-B Rapide

• Matching frame and engine numbers
• Not previously known to the VOC
• Present ownership since 1997
• Kept on display as part of a private collection
• 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. Philip Vincent's machines bristled with innovative features, the brake pedal, footrests, seat height and gear-change lever all being adjustable. 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 Vincent'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.

Records held by the Vincent Owners Club show that engine 'F10AB/1/2405' and frame 'R4305' belong to a standard Series-B Rapide that was despatched from the factory on 19th July1949 to Conway Motors in London. The mark 'KXR' is from a series of registrations issued by London County Council between October 1949 and January 1951, so the registration fits the date and location so is probably the original one. This has filled a big hole in VOC records as it has never crossed the Club since leaving the factory.

The Rapide's ownership history may be traced from documents on file, which include two green continuation logbooks. The one from 1971 records the owner as Paul Frears, then living in Chiswick, while the earlier logbook (from 1965) records Mr Michael Todd of Belvedere, Kent as being the owner until 1970, when it passed to Paul Frears. Also on file is an old-style V5 in name of John Dores of Lowestoft, which records the previous keeper as Paul Frears, Dereham. All logbooks show the date of first registration as 11th November 1949.

In 1985 the Rapide was on loan to Chapmans Norwich Limited for display. In 1997 the Vincent was purchased by the current vendor, since when it has been kept as part of their private collection. Offered for recommission, the Rapide comes with MoT's from 1971, 1983, 1984 and 1985; a copy of The Vincent Motor Cycle Instruction Sheets Series B, C & D; Vincent Motor Cycle Maintenance and Repair Series by Paul Richardson; and a January-December 1970 run of MPH. There is no V5C document present but the machine is on the HPi and DVSA database.
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