Description
LOT 415
From the estate of the late David Atkinson, 1954/ 50 Vincent 998cc Series-C Rapide/ Black Shadow (see text)
Registration no. JCR 988 Frame no. RC/ 12124/ B (see text) Rear frame no. RC9046B/ B Engine no. F10AB/ 1B/ 7146 Crankcase mating no. RR62/ RR62
THE AUTUMN STAFFORD SALE - THE CLASSIC MOTORCYCLE MECHANICS SHOW
16 October 2022, 10:00 BST
Stafford, Staffordshire County Showground
£35, 000 - £45, 000
From the estate of the late David Atkinson
1954/ 50 Vincent 998cc Series-C Rapide/ Black Shadow (see text)
Registration no. JCR 988
Frame no. RC/ 12124/ B (see text) Rear frame no. RC9046B/ B
Engine no. F10AB/ 1B/ 7146 Crankcase mating no. RR62/ RR62
• Rapide upper frame
• All other numbers correct
• Previous ownership from 1968- 2018
• Stored for the last 53 years
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. From Rollie Free's capture of the 'world's fastest production motorcycle' record in 1948 on a tuned Series-B Black Shadow to the final fully enclosed Black Knight and Black Prince, Philip Vincent's stress on appearance and performance is legendary. His machines bristled with innovative features, offering adjustment of brake pedal, footrests, seat height and gear-change lever. 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 v-twin's stupendous performance that captivated motorcyclists, whether they could afford one or not. The appeal of the Vincent, and the Black Shadow in particular, lay in its ability to out-perform just about every other vehicle on the road, and in the early post-war years there was nothing to compare with it. This was a time when the average family sedan was barely capable of reaching 70mph, and not until the advent of Jaguar's XK120 was there a production sports car that could live with the thundering v-twins from Stevenage. With a top speed approaching 120mph and bettering it in the Black Shadow's case, the Vincent v-twin was quite simply the fastest road vehicle of its day.
Vincent Owners Club records show that engine number 'F10AB/ 1B/ 7146' (with upper frame 'RC9046B/ B') belonged to a Black Shadow that went to Jenkin & Purser in Southampton in June 1950, while this machine's upper frame (number 'RC/ 1/ 7578') is from a Rapide Series C dating from 1954. The substitution was almost certainly carried out after the original upper frame had been damaged in an accident. The rear sub-frame ('RC9046B/ B') is correct for the engine.
The immediately preceding owner purchased 'JCR 988' in 1968 from John Craig & Co in Bristol, whose dealer plaque is still fixed to the rear mudguard. A student in Bath at the time, the aforementioned owner used the Vincent for around one year before finding it too expensive to run; it was then put in the garage and has been unused ever since! The current (late) owner purchased the Vincent at Bonhams' Beaulieu sale in September 2018 (Lot 407), since when it has been stored. Presented in 'oily rag' condition, ripe for sympathetic restoration, the machine is offered with handbooks, an old V5 registration document, and an old-style continuation logbook (issued 1966) recording the original frame/ engine numbers and listing the model as 'Black Shadow'.
Key not required
Footnotes
All lots are sold 'as is/ where is' and Bidders must satisfy themselves as to the provenance, condition, age, completeness and originality prior to bidding.
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Additional information
Auction information
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AUCTION ADDRESS
Bonhams
Sandylands Centre / Argyle Centre
Staffordshire County Showground
Weston Road
Stafford
ST18 0BD
ADMISSION TO THE CLASSIC MOTORCYCLE MECHANICS SHOW
Admission is not included in the price of the catalogue. In order to attend and take part in the live auction you will need to purchase a ticket to The Classic Motorcycle Mechanics Show. Tickets can be purchased in advance from: - details above or purchased on entry to the show. Alternatively, you can bid online via Bonhams. com and The Bonhams app, or via Telephone or Absentee/ Commission bidding.
VIEWING TIMES
Saturday 15 October 9am to 5pm
Sunday 16 October from 9am
SALE TIMES
Saturday 15 October
Spares and Memorabilia (Lots 1-285) 10am
Motorcycles (Lots 301 – 336) 4pm
Sunday 16 October
Motorcycles (Lot 401 - 651) 10am
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Buyers Premium and Charges
Buyers Premium and Charges
Memorabilia and Spares
For Memorabilia and Spares (Lots 1-285) the Buyers Premium is 27. 5% on the first £20, 000 of the hammer price; 26% of the hammer price of amounts in excess of £20, 000 up to and including £700, 000; 20% of the hammer price of amounts in excess of £700, 000 up to and including £4, 500, 000 and 14. 5% of the hammer price of any amounts in excess of £4, 500, 000.
Motorcycles
For Motorcycles (Lots 301-336 & 401-651) the Buyers Premium will be 15% on the first £500, 000 of the Hammer Price of each Lot, and 12% on the balance thereafter.
Buyers attention is drawn to Condition 7 of the Notice to Bidders. VAT at the standard rate is payable on the Premium by all Buyers, unless otherwise stated.
Buyers' Obligations
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