Highlights
- Remarkable unrestored survivor in its completely original factory finish
- Ownership history back to 1961
- Off the road and never seen publicly since 1967
- Requires light mechanical restoration
The Appeal
Until 1936, there would have been a reasonably firm consensus in the motorcycling world that the single best motorcycles were built at the Brough Superior works.
But the previous year, Phil Vincent, who had been building motorcycles since 1928, developed what might well have been the world’s finest single-cylinder motorcycle, the mighty 500cc Comet.
But the previous year, Phil Vincent, who had been building motorcycles since 1928, developed what might well have been the world’s finest single-cylinder motorcycle, the mighty 500cc Comet.
Whether it was sheer chance or kind Providence which then intervened we cannot say, but Vincent’s designer Phil Irving happened to be looking at two drawings of the Comet engine lying on top of one another and, suddenly, the possibility for a V-twin dawned on him.
Running like Archimedes to Phil Vincent to seek approval for his idea, the big man himself received it with the same delighted enthusiasm. So it was that in 1936 the 1000cc Rapide became a reality, and was eyeing up Brough Superior’s crown.
Brough, of course, did not survive beyond the outbreak of war. Vincent, on the other hand, returned to production and survived until 1955, when low-volume, high-quality machines could no longer compete with cheaper mass-produced products.
The Rapide survived until the very end, with its final and most refined incarnation, the Series D, appearing in 1954. With such a short production run lasting just only a little over 12 months, only 528 Series Ds were built, of which 233 featured a distinctive cowling.
Running like Archimedes to Phil Vincent to seek approval for his idea, the big man himself received it with the same delighted enthusiasm. So it was that in 1936 the 1000cc Rapide became a reality, and was eyeing up Brough Superior’s crown.
Brough, of course, did not survive beyond the outbreak of war. Vincent, on the other hand, returned to production and survived until 1955, when low-volume, high-quality machines could no longer compete with cheaper mass-produced products.
The Rapide survived until the very end, with its final and most refined incarnation, the Series D, appearing in 1954. With such a short production run lasting just only a little over 12 months, only 528 Series Ds were built, of which 233 featured a distinctive cowling.
While they’re rare at the best of times, the majority of Series Ds you encounter will have been restored at some point.
This is something rarer still—a totally original, unrestored Rapide still sporting the same coat of paint and all the fittings that were applied at the Vincent works in Stevenage in 1955.
With a credible 15,000 miles up to 1967 and ownership traceable to 1961, it is one of the most historic survivors and deserves an owner who will administer a sympathetic mechanical restoration but otherwise preserve its unique and important finish.
In any collection of Vincent road bikes, this would make the perfect centrepiece, even more so than a restored Black Shadow.
This is something rarer still—a totally original, unrestored Rapide still sporting the same coat of paint and all the fittings that were applied at the Vincent works in Stevenage in 1955.
With a credible 15,000 miles up to 1967 and ownership traceable to 1961, it is one of the most historic survivors and deserves an owner who will administer a sympathetic mechanical restoration but otherwise preserve its unique and important finish.
In any collection of Vincent road bikes, this would make the perfect centrepiece, even more so than a restored Black Shadow.
The History and Paperwork
- Originally registered in Coventry on May 16th 1955
- Earliest recorded owner a Mr. Francis James Flanagan of Coventry in 1961
- Ownership passed to Mr. Richard Gibbens of Sutton Coldfield in 1967, after which the bike was garaged after a fuel pipe split, covered in a protective coat of Duck Oil and never used again
- Recovered from its garage in 2016 by a motorcycle dealer, the Vincent was sold to an Isle of Wight collector with over 50 motorcycles
- The collector is now dispersing his collection to fund building work, but has saved his three Vincents until last
- Paperwork with the bike includes the current V5, registration documents from the DVLA, a replacement buff logbook from 1961 and its last MoT certificate issued in 1966
The Condition
- Paint and all other fittings believed to be completely original
- Patinated but otherwise sound in virtually every respect
- There probably isn’t another Series D like it
Of the three Vincents the vendor has collected, everyone tells him this is their favourite and it’s easy to see why.
Anyone with an appreciation for the history of the Vincent company and the craftsmanship of its workers will revere the fact that this bike has survived wearing everything as it was applied at the works, and those who are less interested in the minutiae just love the characterful appearance afforded it by its patina.
Anyone with an appreciation for the history of the Vincent company and the craftsmanship of its workers will revere the fact that this bike has survived wearing everything as it was applied at the works, and those who are less interested in the minutiae just love the characterful appearance afforded it by its patina.
When a bike has never been restored, it must be judged by different standards from one which has been, and so the cosmetic ‘blemishes’ on this bike are not blemishes at all, but the marks of a real survivor.
Obviously, there is a certain fragility to the finish in places, such as where the paint has cracked and flaked from the front of the fuel tank, but they will not be a barrier to riding and enjoying the bike, provided it is stored well and suitably maintained in the meantime.
Obviously, there is a certain fragility to the finish in places, such as where the paint has cracked and flaked from the front of the fuel tank, but they will not be a barrier to riding and enjoying the bike, provided it is stored well and suitably maintained in the meantime.
Unfortunately, there are some splits in the seat which may require some attention in time. While there is certainly no danger of it falling apart any time soon, the best course of action may be to see if the bigger splits can be stitched.
Either way, it is important that the seat is preserved rather than restored, and we would recommend consulting a preservation specialist to assist if necessary.
Either way, it is important that the seat is preserved rather than restored, and we would recommend consulting a preservation specialist to assist if necessary.
The only parts of the bike which are really in need of replacement are the tyres, which have worn away most of their tread, but one cannot really expect tyres which are over 50 years old to last long, anyhow.
We’d be tempted to mount the old tyres on our garage wall as a keepsake, though…
We’d be tempted to mount the old tyres on our garage wall as a keepsake, though…
The Mechanics
- All matching numbers
- All mechanical components believed to be original
- The Rapide ran in 2016 but now requires some mechanical restoration
As beautifully patinated as the rest of the bike, the Rapide’s engine still looks as strong as it ever did and, to the best of our knowledge, all the major components and ancillaries are original to the bike.
When the bike was recovered in 2016, the gentleman who sold it to the vendor drained the oil, refilled it with a detergent oil, supplied it with a new battery and fuel and proceeded to get it running and ride it around a private estate.
When the bike was recovered in 2016, the gentleman who sold it to the vendor drained the oil, refilled it with a detergent oil, supplied it with a new battery and fuel and proceeded to get it running and ride it around a private estate.
The seller’s report from 2016 also tells us “All the gears engaged smoothly and without any nasty noises, the clutch was already free and worked perfectly, as did the brakes and suspension which was soft and perfectly damped. All the lights and horn still work and according to the ammeter it is charging.”
Unfortunately, we cannot provide a more up-to-date mechanical appraisal as the vendor has found the engine no longer turns, so it will have to come apart for the cause of that to be established and some light restoration may be in order.
For obvious reasons, we would strongly recommend overhauling the brakes before using the Rapide on the road, but this is certainly not in a bad way for a bike which hasn’t been used for 55 years, and it should be realistic to have this bike on the road in just a few weeks if you don’t mind spending some evenings and weekends on it.
For obvious reasons, we would strongly recommend overhauling the brakes before using the Rapide on the road, but this is certainly not in a bad way for a bike which hasn’t been used for 55 years, and it should be realistic to have this bike on the road in just a few weeks if you don’t mind spending some evenings and weekends on it.
Summary
Alongside its better-known sister the Black Shadow, the Vincent Rapide was one of the greatest motorcycles of the early post-war period, and is accordingly very much sought-after today.
As one of only 295 uncowled Series Ds, it is very rare but of even greater importance than its rarity is its all-original, unrestored condition.
As one of only 295 uncowled Series Ds, it is very rare but of even greater importance than its rarity is its all-original, unrestored condition.
While the bike does require some light mechanical restoration before it can be used, when it’s on the road it will turn heads everywhere and could easily pick up some preservation awards.
In this condition, you could park next to a restored Black Shadow and the Rapide will probably generate much more interest and admiration.
In this condition, you could park next to a restored Black Shadow and the Rapide will probably generate much more interest and admiration.
Notice to bidders
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