Rare 1955 Vincent is early sport touring bike
Although unloved at its launch, the Black Prince is now one of the rarest and most valuable of all Vincents. Few, however, were imported into the United States, and fewer still retain their unique fiberglass bodywork.
"The Black Prince, developed from the famous Black Shadow, combines racing performance and road-holding with the most luxurious touring equipment and docility for road work," reads the sales brochure for this all-weather Series D machine.
There were three fully faired versions: two being Rapide V-Twin Black Knights and this Victor, the Black Prince, based on the 500 Comet single. One could claim that Phil Vincent was the first to make a fully faired sport touring bike. Surely part of his goal was to make a more all-weather, high-performance machine.
At its point of introduction back in the 1950s, the market thought the bodywork was ugly - many believed hiding that superb 50-degree V-Twin engine was sacrilege - and only 200 "covered" machines were made. There was a delay in bodywork production yet the factory reluctantly produced Series D bikes and sold them without bodywork.
Contemporary road tests of the Prince made it clear that the fear of instability in crosswinds was unfounded, and that the general handling was no different from that of the uncovered version. In fact, the Series D innovated a new chassis in which the seat finally became isolated from the movement of the rear wheel, an odd feature of previous Vincents. A lever-operated center stand was also offered on the Series D.
Regrettably, the promoted series of "Twentieth Century Knights of the Road" heralded the end of the company. Vincent's doors closed on motorcycle production in 1955 just before Christmas.
However, when you visit the National Motorcycle Museum, you'll get to take in some of Britain's finest high-performance touring machines, including about half a dozen stock and competition-modified Vincents, HRDs, several Broughs and even a rare BSA Y-13 V-Twin.
• The National Motorcycle Museum is in Anamosa, Iowa. Visit www.nationalmotorcyclemuseum.org.
1955 Vincent Black Prince specifications
Engine: 50 degree OHV V-Twin
Displacement: 998 cubic centimeters
Horsepower: 55 at 5,700 rpm
Top speed claimed: 120 mph
Bore and stroke: 84 millimeters by 90 mm
Compression ratio: 7.3:1
Carburetion: Twin amals
Transmission: Four speed
Primary: Chain drive
Final drive: Chain
Starter: Kick starting
Electrics: Lucas coil ignition, Miller dynamo
Suspension: Girdraulics front fork, single spring/hydraulic rear suspension
Wheels: 3-by-19-inch front, 3-by-18-inch rear
Brakes: Drum, front and rear
Dry weight: 460 Pounds