FOR SALE: 1955 VINCENT BLACK PRINCE - THE LAST VINCENT BUILT

[Monkeyshines]

<div></div><div></div><div><font size="2"><strong>To be auctioned off on March 1st by H&amp;H Classic Auctions.</strong></font></div><div><strong><font size="2"><a target="_blank" href="http://www.classic-auctions.com/lotdetail.php?lotid=20749&amp;aucid=5802">http://www.classic-auctions.com/lotdetail.php?lotid=20749&amp;aucid=5802</a></font></strong></div><div><strong><font size="2"></font></strong> </div><div><strong><font size="2">The ultimate expression of the Vincent twin, the Black Shadow powered Black Prince entered production in the spring of 1955 with the last example of both the model and the marque leaving the production line on Friday the16th December 1955.</font></strong></div><div><strong><font size="2"></font></strong> </div><div><strong><font size="2">http://thekneeslider.com/images/lastvincent.jpg<a target="_blank" href="http://thekneeslider.com/images/lastvincent.jpg"></a></font></strong></div><div><strong><font size="2"></font></strong><div><strong></strong> </div><div><strong>Mileage:</strong></div>25841<br><div><strong>Colour: </strong></div>BLACK<br><div><strong>Trim Colour:</strong></div><br><div><strong>Chassis No: </strong></div>RD13034B/F<br><div><strong>Engine No:</strong></div>F10AB/2B/11134<br><div><strong>Registration No:</strong></div>SXP 677</div><div><strong><font size="2"></font></strong> </div><div><font size="2"> In total approximately 200 of the enclosed models were built prior to production ending in December 1955, by which time 300 unfaired Series D Rapide's and Black Shadow had been built.<br>This example is the last one to leave the Vincent factory on the 16th December 1955. It is described in an article written by Bruce Main-Smith that appeared in the 29th December 1955 issue of &quot;Motor Cycling&quot; in which the frame number RD13034B/F and engine number F10AB/2B/11134 are quoted.<br>SXP 677 has had very few owners; having remained in the original purchaser's family until well into the 1980's and is known to have been on display at Beaulieu during that decade. The early part of the machines life saw it being used regularly, it is the reputed to have been stripped down and stored, with many of the components residing in vats of oil to preserve them. During the 1970's it was reassembled and used prior to going on display. It has subsequently seen very little, if any use and will require recommisioning prior to returning to the road. Offered in tidy, original condition with a copy of the original logbook and a V5C this is a historic machine accompanied by a VOC dating certificate confirming that it is the &quot;last Vincent&quot;. </font></div><p>Message Edited by Monkeyshines on <span class="date_text">02-16-2007</span><span class="time_text">04:44 PM</span></p><p>Message Edited by Monkeyshines on <span class="date_text">02-16-2007</span><span class="time_text">04:45 PM</span></p>

[CW1Edwards]

<div>I might have moved the tidbit about this being the &quot;last&quot; Vincent higher in the copy...say, the headline.</div><div> </div><div>DE</div>

[UncleErnie]

<div>The precurser to the Pacific Coast, only not as good looking. To each his own. </div><div>Good luck bidding, Mr Shines !</div>

[Monkeyshines]

<div>I was mulling that one Dave and then let it slide, hey it was 5:30 in the morning. Edited as per the editors suggestion.</div>

[hacksaw]

<div>the ugliest vinny i ever saw. no wonder they kiled production. a mercy killing it looks to have been ,at that!</div>

[RonnnM]

<div>Id make a bobber of that one,except my pockets are not that deep</div>

[smithlanger]

sounds good to me

[grandpaul]

There is a gentleman near Vanderpool, Texas that has one...I love Vincents but it is truly one ugly bike. It is now sitting in the Lone Star Motorcycle Museum, which he owns. For a small museum, it's very nice with classic Indians, bevel drive valve Ducatis, Moto Guzzis, AJS, Nortons, couple of Vincents, and many others.


Actually, I believe Allen owns THREE Vincents. not to mention his Norton Manx & Matchless G80 race bikes, and a bunch of other unbelievable classic & vintage iron.

Those guys kick up thier old thumpers and ride 1,000 miles out to Big Bend every summer, just to get sunburned!

I became a Lifetime Member of the museum the first time I set foot in the place.

[HapCall]

There is a gentleman near Vanderpool, Texas that has one...I love Vincents but it is truly one ugly bike. It is now sitting in the Lone Star Motorcycle Museum, which he owns. For a small museum, it's very nice with classic Indians, bevel drive valve Ducatis, Moto Guzzis, AJS, Nortons, couple of Vincents, and many others.

Hap

[HapCall]

Actually, I believe Allen owns THREE Vincents. not to mention his Norton Manx & Matchless G80 race bikes, and a bunch of other unbelievable classic & vintage iron.

Those guys kick up thier old thumpers and ride 1,000 miles out to Big Bend every summer, just to get sunburned!

I became a Lifetime Member of the museum the first time I set foot in the place.

I believe you are correct on the Vincent headcount. He retired from racing a while back I believe. Last time I was there, he was in the process of restoring a Ariel Square Four and an old MGTD sports car.

[ArcherSix]

I thought this was a new post....until I saw Dave Edwards handle.

Anyway, searched around that auction site. Seems the bike sold for 36,000 pounds. What's that, like $60,000 or such? That was 3 years ago. Probably sitting in a museum now....

[grandpaul]

That museum is a rare gem, hidden out in the sticks!

I once took close-up side shots of a dozen engines, then started a "guess the bike" contest for my friends on the Brit Iron Rebels and New Triumph Bonneville forums on Delphi. I bought 3 lifetime member passes and 3 vouchers for a meat pie & drink lunch at the Ace Cafe hill country (in the museum), to award to the first three to guess the whole list.

I still want to get one of my bikes on his dyno, it's only $20 a run, and free if you make the most HP out of at least 4 people in the same group.

[BSAchop]

the current ownership of the Ace Cafe sukk. commercial exploitation and dissed off whats left of the original ace guys.

GP, i dont know if you were on BBB when some of the brit and euro board members posted facts about how the ACE was "reborn", but it was a very livid conversation. most of those old guys arehard riding true cafe types, they were banned off the forum for raising hell, but they posted enuff for me to get the message.

i am not much for the Leatherboy type. but i do have great respect for the lore of the old cafe, and for those guys of the original whom by the grace of god are still alive and even riding their A10's or whatever. i have disdain for the new Ace.

[Buelligan]

If I ever make it to London, a visit to the Ace Cafe will definitely be on the agenda. Based on the youtube videos of what goes on there, it's not typically my scene, but the business is in the original location and the place does have the history.

I would have been a 'ton-up boy' for sure back then.

[HapCall]

The Ace Cafe that Grandpaul is referring to is in the Lone Star Motorcycle Museum near Vanderpool, in the Texas Hill Country, not the Ace Cafe in the UK. The owner of the Museum is from Australia (it could be New Zealand) and has a love for old Brit Iron. He use to race a Matchless G50 (he placed well in the vintage class at Daytona once I believe) and would probably be considered an old school "leather boy". He knows more about Brit vintage iron in his little finger than everyone on the forum combined.

[M143]

He knows more about Brit vintage iron in his little finger than everyone on the forum combined.


What the heck is that ?

There is a whole lot of Brit bike knowledge in here.

[grandpaul]

Allen held his own in the 500 Premier class in AHRMA vintage racing, but I wouldn't go so far as to say his knowledge surpasses most other mechanic/collector/racers who've been at it for 20+ years...

[grandpaul]

I said in this forum he would... Name one person in this forum who is as knowledgeable as he is.

I'll let them speak up for themselves...

(I'm not one of them)

[HapCall]

Allen held his own in the 500 Premier class in AHRMA vintage racing, but I wouldn't go so far as to say his knowledge surpasses most other mechanic/collector/racers who've been at it for 20+ years...


I said in this forum he would... and in the Brit Bike forums I would guess that he is probably one of the more knowledgeable folks. Very few know as much as he does on Matchless, Arial, Vincent, and others.

Name one person in this forum who is as knowledgeable as he is.

[HapCall]

I'll let them speak up for themselves...

(I'm not one of them)

I'm not either but Allen is very knowledgeable without being condescending - very refreshing.

I hate the way things post around here out of order...