c.1949 Vincent 998cc Series-C Rapide

The outbreak of WW2 in 1939 brought production of all Series A models to a halt, and when Vincent resumed production at the war's end it was with the all-new Series B. Its rear suspension aside, the Series A Vincent-HRD had been conventional enough: tubular steel frame, girder forks, separate gearbox, etc but with the Series B Messrs Vincent and Irving effectively established the marque's reputation for the defiance of convention in the pursuit of engineering excellence. For a start there was no 'frame' as such, merely a fabricated box attached to the cylinder heads, which served as the oil tank and incorporated the headstock and the attachment point for the rear springs. The gearbox was integral with the engine, and the swinging arm pivoted directly in the engine/gearbox casings, features commonplace today but unusual 60 years ago. Only in his retention of the pre-war Brampton girder fork did Phillip Vincent appear to be lagging behind other manufacturers, almost all of which had switched to telescopics, but this apparent shortcoming would soon be addressed by the introduction of the famous 'Girdraulic' fork.

Introduced in 1946, the Vincent-HRD Rapide Series-B was immediately the fastest production motorcycle on sale anywhere, with a top speed of 110mph. The basic design clearly had even greater potential though, which would be realised later in the form of the Black Shadow and Black Lightning models. In 1948 the Vincent range began to be up-dated to 'Series-C' specification but it would be 1950 before all Vincents left the factory in that form.

This Vincent Rapide was purchased by the late owner on 1st September 1990 from Weeden Racing in Leicestershire. The Vincent Owners Club advise us that engine 'F10AB/1/2653' is originally from a Series-C Touring Rapide despatched from the factory in September 1949 to a dealership called Trivello in Sao Paulo, Brazil. 'F10AB/1/2653' is a very rare transitionary period engine - the 'HRD' cast area machined off with 'Vincent' added at the factory - one of approximately 10 such engines reported.

It should ne noted that both the upper frame and rear frame numbers are non-factory restamps - note the RC/1/ prefix which pertains to a Series-C Comet frame number as opposed to that of a Rapide, which features simple 'RC' prefixes without the Comet designation '/'.

The machine currently carries the registration number 'MSU 571'; however, 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.

Accompanying paperwork includes old/current V/V5C documents; an old photocopy V5 (previous owner a Mr Talbot of Swanage); 1990s VOC correspondence; old MoT certificates; the 1990 purchase receipt; DVLA correspondence; and 1990 previous owner correspondence. It should be noted the V5C records the frame number as 'RC-1-4553' and engine number as 'F10-AB-2653'.

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 (the engine turns over). Prospective purchasers should satisfy themselves with regard to this motorcycle's completeness, history, authenticity, originality and mechanical condition prior to bidding. Offered with key for ignition fitted beneath saddle.