Description
Originally sold through Laytons of Oxford in November, 1953
Newly discovered following 71 years of single ownership and
around 66 years of storage.
A fantastic and possibly unrepeatable opportunity for restoration
and preservation.
Vincent Motorcycles was established in 1928 when Phil Vincent bought the rights to HRD Motors Ltd. after the company went into voluntary liquidation. With the backing of his family, wealthy from cattle ranching in Argentina, Vincent acquired the trademark, goodwill and remaining components for £450, renaming the new company Vincent HRD. Initially, motorcycles were sold under the HRD brand name, using their own chassis with proprietary engines but in 1934 two new engines were developed, a 500cc single and a 1, 000cc vee-twin. Always the innovator, Vincent now had full control over his products and began introducing many design features that proved to be way ahead of their time such as cantilever rear suspension.
Already advertising their existing 110mph Rapide machine as “The world’s fastest production motorcycle,” in February, 1948, Vincent announced the legendary Black Shadow with a top speed of 125mph. With its distinctive black-painted one-litre vee-twin, it immediately became the ne plus ultra of performance motorcycles, and its reputation has endured to make it one of the most desirable motorcycles of all time.
It is with the greatest pleasure that we are offering what may be an unrepeatable find—an unrestored Black Shadow which has been in single ownership since 1955. ‘UWL 805’ was originally sold through Laytons of Oxford on November 30th, 1953, to Ronald James William Fisher of Kidlington. He sold it back to Laytons on March 28th, 1955, and it was bought on May 6th by William Davis of Witney, who then sold it on July 11th to its late owner of 71 years. The owner, an Eastcote resident, worked for Walkers of Ruislip, and was involved with the Territorial Army. He used the Shadow as his everyday bike between 1955 and 1960, often going out with Parachute Regiment friends in their Belstaffs and pudding-basin helmets. The Shadow played its part in courtship rituals, but fell out of use post-marriage and was stored in a single location from late 1960 to the early 1990s, when the owner moved house and constructed a wooden shelter for it at the bottom of his new garden. It remained there until October 8th, 2026, when the shelter was dismantled and the remarkably original bike saw the light again.
Considering all it has endured, the Shadow is in relatively good shape, with the inside of the tank presenting well, the engine turning over, and even a period set of Craven panniers, it needs a sympathetic owner to restore it to its former glory, perhaps with a focus on preservation. Although no longer on the DVLA database, the buff logbook is present so it should be possible to reclaim the original registration with the aid of the Vincent Owners’ Club.
Geomede ltd
Motorcycles Unlimited
Classic Bike Emporium
24 Medway Parade
Greenford
Middlesex
West London
UB6 8HR
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