Offered from The John Surtees Family Collection, 1950 Vincent 499cc Comet Series-C

The Vincent-HRD marque originated in 1928 when Philip C Vincent acquired the name, jigs, tools and patterns of the recently liquidated HRD Company. ('HRD' stood for Howard Raymond Davies, the Isle of Man TT winner who had founded the firm in 1924). Vincent moved production from Wolverhampton to Stevenage and set about putting his motorcycle design ideas into practice, commencing with an innovative sprung frame that would remain a feature of Vincent motorcycles until production ceased in 1955.

Unlike in pre-war days, when the first (Series-A) Vincent-HRD v-twin had been created by - in effect - combining two of the existing singles, post-WW2 Vincent's approach was reversed, with the Series-B twin appearing first, in 1946, and the single-cylinder version in 1948. The latter was offered in two forms initially: the Series-B Meteor tourer and Series-C Comet sports roadster. Apart from its Burman gearbox and 'missing' cylinder, the Comet followed Series-C twin lines, featuring the newly introduced Girdraulic front fork and hydraulic dampers at front and rear, while the Meteor retained the old Brampton girders. The Meteor was soon dropped but the Comet continued in production until 1954, offering the same degree of refinement as its bigger brother, albeit with reduced performance. Even so, the Comet combined a 90mph potential with excellent fuel economy, and was the ideal touring mount for the discerning rider who placed civility of manners and quality of construction above outright performance. An expensive machine to produce, the Comet did not sell as well as its maker had hoped and was dropped when the Series-D range was introduced.

Vincent Owners Club records indicate that engine F5AB/2A/3788 was originally fitted to a Series C Comet dispatched from the factory on 12 April 1950. With regard to the upper and rear frame numbers, several characters have been stamped using a typeface that is uncharacteristic of factory practice. As a result, it has not been possible to positively identify the upper and rear frame members from the numbers present. due to the non-factory frame stampings, this registration corresponds only to the engine. Accordingly, prospective bidders must satisfy themselves entirely with regard to the validity of the Vehicle Registration Number prior to bidding. The most recent report to the Vincent Owners Club of a Comet bearing these frame numbers and registration dates from 1968, when it was recorded under different ownership.

The current odometer reading is 11,374 miles, a figure that is believed to be genuine. Photographs taken prior to restoration in 2000 show a mileage of approximately 11,300 miles, closely corresponding with that recorded today.

The accompanying RF.60 continuation logbook records the machine's first registered owner as Jack Surtees Motors, Forest Hill, London, on 18 April 1950. Subsequent ownership entries include:

• Antony Corina, Bradford, Yorkshire (June 1950)
• Robert Oddy, Bingley, Yorkshire (July 1951)
• Louis Frederick Olivant, Girlington, Bradford (April 1953)
• Louis Frederick Olivant, Watford, Hertfordshire (1955)
• Robert Shama, Watford, Hertfordshire

A letter from Vincent specialist Lanivet Motors, dated 2nd September 2000, states that the machine retains correct frame and engine stampings, with matching crankcase halves. However, although the frame numbers may have been judged correct, the fonts used to stamp them are not and thus this Comet cannot be said to have genuine matching numbers (see above). Lanivet's letter traces the motorcycle's ownership from Jack Surtees Motors through its early Yorkshire custodians before passing to Vincent Owners Club founder member, Robert Shama, who reportedly used the Comet until 1959, after which it was placed into long-term storage. At the time of inspection in 2000, the odometer was recorded as showing 11,300 miles, with the speedometer functioning and engine compression described as excellent.

Acquired by John Surtees from Lanivet Motors in 2000, the Comet formed part of his distinguished private collection and benefits from a particularly appealing provenance linking Britain's only Formula 1 and Motorcycle World Champion with one of the most revered marques of the post-war era. Accompanying documentation includes the following:

• Current V5C Registration Certificate
• Photocopy of an earlier (2010) V5C, which incorrectly lists the machine as a scooter combination
• Lanivet Motors purchase invoice to John Surtees, dated 2000, recording 11,300 miles
• Vincent Owners Club correspondence relating to the recovery of the original registration number
• September 2010 MoT certificate (11,369 miles recorded)
• DVLA correspondence
• Original RF.60 logbook
• Pre-restoration photographs

Following a period of inactivity, this motorcycle will require recommissioning and/or restoration to a greater or lesser extent before returning to the road and thus is sold strictly as viewed. Prospective purchasers should satisfy themselves with regard to this motorcycle's completeness, history, authenticity, originality and mechanical condition prior to bidding.
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