Descrição
This is Lot 322 to be auctioned by Bonhams at The Spring Stafford Sale on the 26 & 27 April, please see the Bonhams website for full details.
Public Viewing:
Available 26 April from 09:00 until 17:00 and 27 April from 09:00 until 17:00, at The International Classic Motorcycle Show, Stafford.
Lot 322
The Connoisseurs Collection
1951 Vincent 998cc Black Shadow
Registration no. LOL 125 (see text)
Chassis no.
An older restoration
Acquired for the collection in 1994
Kept on static display
Requires recommissioning following a period of inactivity
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. Above all else it was the latter 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 saloon 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.
This Black Shadow was last reported to the Vincent Owners' Club by a previous owner back in 1983 so has been an unknown for the last 40 years. The VOC advises us that engine 'F10AB/ 1B/ 7076' and upper frame member 'RC8976B/ C' are from a Series-C Black Shadow despatched to Kings in Birmingham in June 1951. It should be noted that the number on the rear frame appears to have been restamped. The Vincent was first registered in the UK on 11th August 1951. The last tax disc expired in July 1984 and the last V5C was issued in February 1993, at which time there had been three recorded keepers in the UK. The machine was acquired by the collection in January 1994 and has an export marker against its registration in the DVLA and HPI databases. Accordingly, prospective purchasers should satisfy themselves with regard to this motorcycle's registration status prior to bidding. An older restoration, the Vincent has been on static display for many years and will require recommissioning and safety checks before returning to the road. Sold strictly as viewed.
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. Visit the Bonhams website for all pertinent auction information.
