Vincent motorcycles began with the Vincent Rapide, a 998cc V-twin shown in 1936. Later, a Vincent set a 150 mph record at Bonneville. There was also a Black Shadow that Bonhams calls “the fastest road vehicle of its day.”
These six models follow that arc in order, from the first Rapide to the single-cylinder Comet. Production counts differ between sources, so we name the source for each one.
1. 1936 Vincent-HRD Series A Rapide
First, Philip Vincent had bought the name, jigs, tools and patterns of the liquidated HRD company, Bonhams says. Then Phil Irving had an idea. After seeing two drawings of the company’s single-cylinder engine laid over each other, he pictured a 1,000cc V-twin. The prototype Series A Rapide appeared on Vincent’s stand at the 1936 Motor Cycle Show at Olympia.
At first, its external oil pipes earned it the nickname “Plumber’s Nightmare.” Still, it was fast. According to Bonhams, the 998cc Rapide could reach 110 mph. However, the company built only 78 between late 1936 and the summer of 1939. In April 2025, Bonhams offered a 1937 example at its Spring Stafford Sale with a £180,000 to £240,000 estimate.
2. 1946 Vincent-HRD Series B Rapide
After the war, the Vincent Rapide returned in a fresh Series B form. Classic Bike Hub says the Series B Rapide was “immediately the fastest production motorcycle on sale anywhere” when it arrived in 1946. That’s the publication’s claim, and it gives a top speed of over 110 mph.
However, the bigger change was structural. Bonhams explains that there was no frame as such, just a fabricated box attached to the cylinder heads that also served as the oil tank. In addition, the gearbox was integral with the engine, and the swinging arm pivoted directly in the engine and gearbox cases, according to Classic Bike Hub. In effect, the engine became part of the chassis.
3. 1948 Vincent Black Shadow
Next, Vincent built a hotter Rapide. Deliveries of the Black Shadow began in the spring of 1948, Bonhams says. To mark it out, Vincent also gave it black-finished engine cases and a 5-inch speedometer reading to 150 mph.
The factory claimed a 125 mph top speed. According to Bonhams, road tests soon bore it out. Early Shadows are scarce, too. For example, Bonhams counts only around 70 Series B Black Shadows. It adds that the Vincent Owners Club knows of just 42 Series C Shadows that carry “Vincent-HRD” branding.
4. 1948 Vincent Black Lightning
The Black Lightning was the racing version, and its first example made history. On September 13, 1948, Rollie Free rode it at Bonneville to 150.313 mph, an American motorcycle speed record. The Vintagent says Free lay flat wearing only a bathing suit, a shower cap and borrowed sneakers.
At the time, California sportsman John Edgar owned the bike. The Vintagent adds that it was about 100 pounds lighter and 25 hp more powerful than a stock Black Shadow. Meanwhile, Hagerty puts the total at just 33 race-spec Black Lightnings, counting Free’s prototype.
5. 1948 Vincent Series C Rapide
In 1948, Vincent began updating its range to Series C specification. The new models made their public debut at that year’s Earls Court show, Bonhams says. Above all, their main feature was Vincent’s own Girdraulic fork, a blade-type girder with twin hydraulic dampers.
Even so, the change took time to spread. Classic Bike Hub says it was 1950 before every Vincent left the factory in Series C form. Over 1948 to 1951, Hagerty reports, Vincent built 4,836 Rapide streetbikes and 1,727 higher-spec Black Shadows. Around this time, Bonhams notes, the factory began phasing out the “HRD” name.
6. Vincent Series C Comet
By contrast, not every Vincent had two cylinders. The Comet used a 499cc overhead-valve single. According to Iconic Auctioneers, it produced around 28 bhp. In other words, that’s roughly half the 55 bhp RideApart lists for the Black Shadow.
Iconic says the Comet could approach 90 mph and that production ended in 1955. Today, surviving examples are increasingly sought after, the house adds. In February 2026, Iconic Auctioneers sold a 1950 Series C Comet at Stoneleigh Park for £13,570.
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This article was created with the help of AI and was reviewed and edited by Fast Lane Only editors before publication.
