1952 VINCENT - Lot 75

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Lot n° 75
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Estimation :
90000 - 110000 EUR
1952 VINCENT - Lot 75
1952 VINCENT BLACK PRINCE Serial number: RD12877BF European circulation permit 90 000 / 110 000 € Conceived as a Bentley on two wheels, the Vincent Black Prince boasted a blend of performance, unrivalled refinement and striking beauty. The Black Shadow is the world's fastest production motorcycle. That's not a slogan. It's a fact. The photo of Rollie Free setting a new motorcycle land speed record of 246.73 km/h aboard a Vincent V-twin on the Bonneville Salt Flats in September 1948 is legendary, not least because he was lying on the rear fender, stiff as a board, legs dangling over the back, wearing only a shower cap, sneakers and swimming trunks. But if Free's unorthodox record chasing helped establish Vincent as the maker of "the world's first superbikes", founder Phil Vincent also saw the development potential of his powerful 1,000cc machines into what he once described as "Bentleys on two wheels". In other words, high-performance motorcycles for gentlemen who preferred to ride in tweed suits rather than waxed cotton or leather. To this end, Vincent developed its sophisticated Black Knight and Black Prince models, based respectively on the Rapide and the ultra-high-performance Black Shadow. With redesigned frames, repositioned oil tanks, larger fuel tanks and new carburetors, the Knight and Prince offered a smoother, more refined ride than the bikes on which they were based. With wraparound fairings and generous leg guards integrated into a fiberglass body that surrounded the engine and extended to the rear of the bike, it offered a level of protection against the elements hitherto unmatched. The Vincents were known for their innovative features (controls, footrests and seats were fully adjustable, for example), and the Prince was no exception. The rear bodywork, for example, could easily be raised for servicing, the front fender stands served as auxiliary supports to facilitate wheel changing, and a large vertical lever on the side allowed the rider to elegantly lift the bike onto its center stand while remaining on board. And while all of Vincent's V-twins are relatively rare (only 6,852 were built in total), the Black Prince is the rarest. It was restored by specialist Godet. In fact, it's probably one of the finest existing examples of Phil Vincent's "two-wheeled Bentley". And if the idea of swinging your tweed leg over the comfortable saddle of a motorcycle that will make you feel like a king appeals to you, head for Lyon. 1952 VINCENT BLACK PRINCE Serial number: RD12877BF European circulation permit 90 000 / 110 000 € Conceived as a Bentley on two wheels, the Vincent Black Prince boasted a blend of performance, unrivalled refinement and striking beauty. The Black Shadow is the world's fastest production motorcycle. That's not a slogan. It's a fact. The photo of Rollie Free setting a new motorcycle land speed record of 246.73 km/h aboard a Vincent V-twin on the Bonneville Salt Flats in September 1948 is legendary, not least because he was lying on the rear fender, stiff as a board, legs dangling over the back, wearing only a shower cap, sneakers and swimming trunks. But if Free's unorthodox record chasing helped establish Vincent as the maker of "the world's first superbikes", founder Phil Vincent also saw the development potential of his powerful 1,000cc machines into what he once described as "Bentleys on two wheels". In other words, high-performance motorcycles for gentlemen who preferred to ride in tweed suits rather than waxed cotton or leather. To this end, Vincent developed its sophisticated Black Knight and Black Prince models, based respectively on the top-of-the-range, ultra-high-performance Rapide and Black Shadow. With redesigned frames, repositioned oil tanks, larger fuel tanks and new carburetors, the Knight and Prince offered a smoother, more refined ride than the bikes on which they were based. With wraparound fairings and generous leg guards integrated into a fiberglass body that surrounded the engine and extended to the rear of the bike, it offered a level of protection against the elements hitherto unmatched. The Vincents were known for their innovation (controls, footrests and seats were fully adjustable, for example) and the Prince was no exception. The rear bodywork, for example, could easily be raised for servicing, the front fender stands served as auxiliary supports to facilitate wheel changing, and a large vertical lever on the side allowed the rider to el
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