1951 VINCENT SERIES C RAPIDE
£20,000€23,076US$26,814
Description
Estimated Price: £15,000 - £20,000
- Unveiled in 1946, the HRD Vincent Rapide redefined motorcycle engineering in the post-war era
- Powered by a 998cc, 50° air-cooled V-twin offering c.45bhp at 5,500rpm, it was one of the fastest and most advanced motorcycles of the late 1940s
- Fitted with a revolutionary 'frameless' design with the engine as a stressed member
- Vincent 'Girdraulic' forks with hydraulic damping; cantilever rear with twin spring/damper units and fitted with twin drum brakes front and rear
- Produced until 1949, when the HRD name was dropped in favour of simply Vincent
- This famous Rapide was bought by Tony Maughan in 1958 and over time became his 'parts development' machine
- Tony's association with Vincent and the foundation of the Vincent Spares Company was very much due to the purchase of this bike
- So well looked after and polished, it became known as 'Ivanhoe' and went on to win three Concours d'Elegance awards at Vincent Owners Club events and was a two times winner of the Graham Walker Trophy at the BMF
- In 2000, its engine was rebuilt to White Shadow specification, this included new Holden crankcases and cylinder heads, 30mm main bearings, Carrillo con rods and Mk2 cams
- Fitted with new Amal carbs and 12 volt electrics with an Alton dynamo
- 80% of the engine was produced by Maughan & Sons Ltd
- In running order and one of the quietest Vincent twins you will hear according to our vendor
- Fitted with Dunlop alloys, larger front brake drums and features a Black Shadow 5-inch speedo
- Standard fuel tank fitted with Monza style alloy filler caps
- NDV 219 left the factory in 1951 on its way to dealers Ron Lake in Bideford in Devon and was registered new in 1952
- Retains its original upper frame and still on its original transferable registration number
- Rear frame number is RC/1/ 7146 and was originally from a 1950 Comet, there are no crankcase pairing numbers
- Complete with a large history file containing a documented record of all work done in a book from 1960 until now, old tax discs, numerous old receipts and MOTs, two old RF60 log books and its invoice from 1960
- Some spares included as pictured
- Highly usable example of a period modified Vincent twin
- UK registered on a current V5C
Specifications
- Year
- 1951
- Brand
- VINCENT
- Model
- SERIES C RAPIDE
- Condition
- Used
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