Ben Walker
Department Director
LOT 322 *N
The Connoisseurs Collection 1951 Vincent 998cc Black Shadow Registration no. LOL 125 (see text) Frame no. RC8976B/C Rear frame no. RC8976B/C (restamped) Engine no. F10AB/1B/7076
Estimate: £30,000 - £40,000
Lot 322*,N
The Connoisseurs Collection, 1951 Vincent 998cc Black Shadow
The Connoisseurs Collection
1951 Vincent 998cc Black Shadow
Registration no. LOL 125 (see text)
Frame no. RC8976B/C Rear frame no. RC8976B/C (restamped)
Engine no. F10AB/1B/7076
1951 Vincent 998cc Black Shadow
Registration no. LOL 125 (see text)
Frame no. RC8976B/C Rear frame no. RC8976B/C (restamped)
Engine no. F10AB/1B/7076
• An older restoration
• Acquired for the collection in 1994
• Kept on static display
• Requires recommissioning following a period of inactivity
Ever since the Series A's arrival in 1937 the Vincent v-twin has been synonymous with design innovation, engineering excellence, and superlative high performance. Above all else it was the latter that captivated motorcyclists, whether they could afford one or not. The appeal of the Vincent, and the Black Shadow in particular, lay in its ability to out-perform just about every other vehicle on the road, and in the early post-war years there was nothing to compare with it. This was a time when the average family saloon was barely capable of reaching 70mph, and not until the advent of Jaguar's XK120 was there a production sports car that could live with the thundering v-twins from Stevenage. With a top speed approaching 120mph and bettering it in the Black Shadow's case, the Vincent v-twin was quite simply the fastest road vehicle of its day.
This Black Shadow was last reported to the Vincent Owners' Club by a previous owner back in 1983 so has been an unknown for the last 40 years. The VOC advises us that engine 'F10AB/1B/7076' and upper frame member 'RC8976B/C' are from a Series-C Black Shadow despatched to Kings in Birmingham in June 1951. It should be noted that the number on the rear frame appears to have been restamped. The Vincent was first registered in the UK on 11th August 1951. The last tax disc expired in July 1984 and the last V5C was issued in February 1993, at which time there had been three recorded keepers in the UK. The machine was acquired by the collection in January 1994 and has an export marker against its registration in the DVLA and HPI databases. Accordingly, prospective purchasers should satisfy themselves with regard to this motorcycle's registration status prior to bidding. An older restoration, the Vincent has been on static display for many years and will require recommissioning and safety checks before returning to the road. Sold strictly as viewed.
Key not required
• Acquired for the collection in 1994
• Kept on static display
• Requires recommissioning following a period of inactivity
Ever since the Series A's arrival in 1937 the Vincent v-twin has been synonymous with design innovation, engineering excellence, and superlative high performance. Above all else it was the latter that captivated motorcyclists, whether they could afford one or not. The appeal of the Vincent, and the Black Shadow in particular, lay in its ability to out-perform just about every other vehicle on the road, and in the early post-war years there was nothing to compare with it. This was a time when the average family saloon was barely capable of reaching 70mph, and not until the advent of Jaguar's XK120 was there a production sports car that could live with the thundering v-twins from Stevenage. With a top speed approaching 120mph and bettering it in the Black Shadow's case, the Vincent v-twin was quite simply the fastest road vehicle of its day.
This Black Shadow was last reported to the Vincent Owners' Club by a previous owner back in 1983 so has been an unknown for the last 40 years. The VOC advises us that engine 'F10AB/1B/7076' and upper frame member 'RC8976B/C' are from a Series-C Black Shadow despatched to Kings in Birmingham in June 1951. It should be noted that the number on the rear frame appears to have been restamped. The Vincent was first registered in the UK on 11th August 1951. The last tax disc expired in July 1984 and the last V5C was issued in February 1993, at which time there had been three recorded keepers in the UK. The machine was acquired by the collection in January 1994 and has an export marker against its registration in the DVLA and HPI databases. Accordingly, prospective purchasers should satisfy themselves with regard to this motorcycle's registration status prior to bidding. An older restoration, the Vincent has been on static display for many years and will require recommissioning and safety checks before returning to the road. Sold strictly as viewed.
Key not required
Footnotes
Please note that this Lot is from outside the UK. Our customs agents, Shippio Ltd, will manage all post sale customs administration. A fee of £350+VAT will be charged on the buyer's invoice to administer both import or export customs movements.
If this Lot is to stay in the UK, it will be subject to Import VAT at the standard rate of 5% on the hammer price. This Lot will not be available for immediate collection after the sale and will only be released on completion of customs clearance. If you have any questions regarding customs clearance, please contact Bonhams' Motorcycles Department [email protected] +44 (0) 20 8963 2817.
All lots are sold 'as is/where is' and Bidders must satisfy themselves as to the provenance, condition, age, completeness and originality prior to bidding.
Please see the Auction Information and Guide for Buyers at the top of the main sale page, for bidders' obligations. The Spring Stafford Sale
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This Lot will be auctioned on Sunday 27 April, with the auction starting at 11am GMT.
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- 26 April 2025, 09:00 - 17:00 BST
- 27 April 2025, 09:00 - 17:00 BST
Lot symbols
| * | Import low rate |
| VAT on imported items at a preferential rate of 5% on Hammer Price and the prevailing rate on Buyer's Premium. | |
| N | NOVA declaration |
| If purchased by a UK resident, this machine is subject to a NOVA declaration, whilst the responsibility of submitting the NOVA rests with the Buyer to do so, Bonhams will facilitate the process by engaging an agent (SHIPPIO) to undertake the NOVA and C88 (customs) application if applicable on the Buyer's behalf. A fee of £350 + VAT to do so will be added to the Buyer's invoice. |