Vincent 1951/53 Rapide Special 1330 cc 2 cyl OHV 3608

Vincent 1951/53 “Rapide Special” 1330 cc OHV V-twin frame # RC11684 engine # F10AB/1/7832

The first Series B Rapide was presented to the press on April 27, 1946. It was to be the base model of the post-war range, for Vincent-HRD made the decision to drop the successful singles and aim instead at the exclusive, high-performance end of the market with the only big British V-twin offered to the public after the war.
The finish was to a very high standard in proportion to the cost of the machine, which was virtually double that of any of its contemporaries. But above all else it was the v-twin’s stupendous performance that captivated motorcyclists, whether they could afford one or not. With a top speed approaching 120mph, and even higher in the Black Shadow’s case, the Vincent v-twin was the fastest 2-wheeled road vehicle of its day. Bore x stroke of the 998cc Rapide engine are 84 mm x 90mm and the top speed an estimated 177km. Power output amounts to 45HP @5,200 RPM.
In 1948 the Series C range was introduced. The HRD monogram was dropped and replaced by a new Vincent logo. The most significant changes made concerned the suspension, there being a revised arrangement at the rear incorporating curved lugs for the seat stays and an hydraulic damper between the spring boxes, while at the front the new models boasted Vincent’s own ‘Girdraulic’ fork: a blade-type girder fitted with twin hydraulic dampers.
This unusual Vincent comes with an interesting history file. A Dating Certificate of the Vincent Owners Club, issued on March 10, 2011 states that the upper frame member number refers to a Rapide that was despatched on January 30, 1953 to Harry Lindsay in Dublin, the premier Vincent dealer in Ireland. The engine was despatched on October 16, 1951 to dealer Costin & Sons in Westcliff-on-Sea in Essex. Photostat copies of Works Order Forms, Despatch Sheet and Engine Check Sheet are available. Around 2012 Dubliner Henry Martini, well-known Irish Vincent enthousiast and specialist, transformed the machine into a highly personalized Special, see:
Henry Martini | Vincent H.R.D. Owners Club Forum
Shortly before Martini passed away in November 2016, the Special was sold to a Belgian enthousiast. The Rapide was never registered in Belgium, so we presume she was not used on the road. The Belgian gentleman passed on two years ago and the Special went to France, where she got a current French registration and participated in the Coupes Moto Légende.
Specifications include 1330 cc engine capacity, dual disc front brakes, Mikuni carbs, 12 v electrics, electric starter, electronic ignition and “Tread-Down” centre stand.
This very interesting and excellently finished Rapide Special comes with a V.O.C inspection report, made up in June, 2016 by VOC Spares Co’s manager Ian Savage. The report concludes: “Recent rebuild with 1330 cc modified original engine, electric starter, disc front brakes, 12 v electrics. Very good mechanical & cosmetic condition.” Maybe a Vincent could have looked like this if the make would have made it into the seventies…..