Descrizione
NOW SOLD
1949 Vincent 998cc Black Shadow Series C
Frame no. RC4** 6B
Engine no. F* 0AB/ 1B/** 56
•Matching main/ rear frame and engine numbers
•Completely unrestored original correct condition
•Just 5 confirmed keepers from new
•11, 147 miles from new
•Offered from a UK private collection.
It is told that whilst Philip Vincent was on a sales tour of the USA in 1949, the 'HRD' logo was confused with 'Harley R Davidson'! More than slightly disgruntled, he immediately ordered the factory to remove any reference to HRD by grinding it off the crankcases, inspection caps and replacing the tank side decals with the new name, VINCENT. This motorcycle is one such model and is therefore referred to by Vincent enthusiasts as a transitional model.
A copy of the original 1949 September Works Order form on file shows this Black Shadow was destined for the Indian Sales Corporation of Springfield, Ohio and was subsequently sold to its first owner, Joe Ellison. Post-delivery it proved impossible to start, and Mr Ellsion found a quantity of grinding paste in the carburettors and wrote a letter of complaint to Philip Vincent, who quickly responded expressing his sincere apologies, again this is on file.
Ellison stopped riding the bike in 1973 but kept it for a total of 32 years covering just 7, 000 miles over the period. He finally sold it in 1981 to Sven-Erik Eklund who was at the time president of Husqvarna motorcyles in the USA. Interestingly it was collected on Sven-Erik's behalf by Dick Burleson, an eight-times US enduro champion (1974-1981 riding Husqvarna bikes) so one can assume he gave it a resounding thumbs up! In 1996 it was acquired by Paul Hoffman and upon his death it passed to Herb Harris, a well-known Vincent collector and owner of the Harris Vincent Gallery in Austin, Texas. Since 2004 its been in the hand of a UK collector and on display in a private museum.
A good deal of documentation accompanies this unique motorcycle, beginning with copies of the Works Order Form and engine specification, together with a Certificate of Authenticity issued via the Vincent Owners Club.
This is an extremely rare opportunity to become the owner of what must be one of the most original Vincent Black Shadow's in existence, plus a similarly original 1951 Vincent Comet which has been its companion for over twenty years! .
It would be a pleasure to answer any further questions you might have. This extraordinary Vincent can be inspected at my Guildford showroom - please call me on the details below.
