1947 Vincent-HRD 998cc Series-B 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 matching-numbers Series-B Rapide was despatched new on 28th May 1947 to the Stephens dealership in Carmarthen and registered as 'DBX 600'. A very early example (engine number '93'), it has that model's characteristic Brampton girder forks and HRD-embossed timing cover with prominent cast-in oil ways. Acquired by the private vendor in 1991, the Rapide has been modified/upgraded with ribbed front brake drums; a Dave Hills centre stand; 12-volt electrics; non-standard horn; flashing indicators; and a replacement headlight. The exhaust is new and the machine is described by the vendor as in running condition, road legal and ready to go (it last ran two years ago).

Accompanying documents include the following:

• Current V5C Registration Certificate
• RF.60 logbook (issued 1961)
• Photocopy Works Order Form
• Expired MoT certificates
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