From the Al Phillips Estate Vincent motorcycles are legendary machines, and a tidy example such as this gorgeous 1952 Series C Black Shadow cuts a fine figure on the auction block. Philip Conrad Vincent was a teenager when he became enthralled by motorcycles, and his first was a 1923 BSA 350. As the story goes, Vincent didn’t like the BSA and, as a student engineer, designed and built his own bike, powered by a 350cc Swiss-made M.A.G. engine. It was the frame that was unique, as it featured swingarm rear suspension, with dual springs under the rider’s saddle. By 1928, Vincent had purchased the H.R.D. motorcycle company, and simply added his name to make it the Vincent H.R.D. Company Ltd. When Vincent and Phil Irving, an Australian engineer who joined the firm in 1934, drew plans for a short-stroke 499cc single-cylinder engine, Vincent’s course was set, as the next step was a V-twin based on the architecture of the single. That 998cc V-twin, launched in 1936, was the Series A Rapide. Post war, in 1946, the Series B Rapide featured an entirely new frame and unit-construction of the crankcase and 4-speed gearbox. Tuning the potent V-twin brought impressive speed results, and in 1948, Vincent released the Series C range and first Black Shadow with polished ports, bigger carburetors, different pistons and an increased compression ratio. To separate the model from the Rapide, engine cases were all black. The Black Shadow was advertised as “the world’s fastest production motorcycle,” claiming a top speed of 125 MPH. The 1952 model offered updated brakes and suspension, which consisted of Vincent’s own “Girdraulic” front fork. This example on offer features the Girdraulic fork, with its aluminum main blades sprung by a single main shock absorber. Carburetors are Amal Concentric units, as opposed to Amal separate-float Type 289s. Vincents are easy to set up for individual owners, as components are quickly configurable for comfort. It shouldn’t take long, then, for the lucky bidder to recommission this Black Shadow and put it to good use. 1952 VINCENT BLACK SHADOW
