Property of a deceased's estate, 1949 Vincent-HRD 998cc Series-C Rapide Project

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.

Vincent Owners' Club records show that engine number 'F10AB/1/1964' and both upper and rear frames 'RC3864' are from a Series-C Rapide that was despatched from the factory in March 1949 to the Kings dealership in Oxford. 'OJO 462' is the original registration and according to the Oxford Council records was issued on the 16th February 1950, so it looks like the bike was sat unregistered at Kings for a while before been sold.

This Rapide was owned by the vendor's late father for as long as the vendor can remember. The private vendor advises that the machine was rebuilt in the 1980s after being stored in boxes. Offered as a project, the Vincent is currently a non-runner and is sold strictly as viewed. Prospective purchasers must satisfy themselves with regard to this motorcycle's history, authenticity, originality, mechanical condition and completeness (or otherwise) prior to bidding. Accompanying documentation consists of a current V5C Registration Certificate and some marque-related literature. A selection of small spares is included in the sale (see photograph on Bonhams website).
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