Description
This motorcycle is Lot 297 to be auctioned by Bonhams at The Autumn Stafford Sale (The Classic Motorcycle Mechanics Show) on 12 & 13 October, please see the Bonhams website for full details.
Auction Timings:
Lots 1 - 176 are to be sold from 11:00 on Saturday 12th October 2024.
Lots 201 - 429 are to be sold from 11:00 on Sunday 13th October 2024.
Public Viewing:
Available 12th & 13th October 2024 from 09:00 until 17:00, at The Stafford County Showground (The Classic Motorcycle Mechanics Show).
Lot 297
1936 Olympia Motorcycle Show, Factory display machine
1936 Vincent-HRD 998cc Series-A Rapide
Registration no. CJH 378
Frame no. RP383TM (see text) Rear Frame No. DV1229
Engine no. V1001
1936 Olympia Motorcycle Show bike
Painstakingly restored and documented
Second ever Rapide made
Oldest surviving complete Rapide
One of only approximately 78 Series-A Rapides
HRD gained their initials from Howard Raymond Davies, the founder of the company in 1924, and a motorcycle racer of some repute. One of his claims to fame was winning the Senior TT in 1921 on a 350cc AJS, relegating Freddie Dixon and Bert Le Vack, both riding Indians, to second and third places. Intending to produce high-quality machines, Davies utilised JAP engines initially, and achieved a second Senior TT triumph, on a machine of his own manufacture, in 1924. Financial troubles lay ahead, however, and in 1927 HRD was placed in voluntary liquidation by its founder.
It was acquired by young engineer Philip Vincent, with financial backing from his father. After an initial flirtation with Swiss-made MAG engines, Vincent settled on JAP engines, as his predecessor had, and introduced his trademark rear-sprung frame. A Rudge 'Python' engine was offered as an alternative to the JAP but, unimpressed by the standard of 'bought-in' engines, Vincent and fellow engineer Phil Irving designed their own engine for 1934, with their (now traditional) high-camshaft layout; this was christened by the makers as 'Semi-OHC'. Initial models with this engine were the 500cc Meteor and Comet, later variations being the Comet Special and the TT model.
Soon after, by the relatively simple expedient of mounting two top ends onto a common crankcase, the A series 998cc twin was evolved in 1936, with the apocryphal tale of the design being conceived as a result of two single-cylinder drawings being overlapped. Production of this model began in 1936 for the 1937 season, and was curtailed when war broke out in 1939. The Rapide was a step-change in performance, using virtually the same cycle parts as the single cylinder model, but with much-increased power output. The maker's sales brochure for 1938 describes the Rapide thus:
'The performance is electric. Power appears almost limitless, yet it is so smooth and controllable that it is a delight to ride, even in thick traffic. There is only one snag we have discovered in owning a "Rapide." You never get a scrap with another machine, because no ordinary motor cycle can live with a "Rapide." Here at last is a performance equal to the fastest T. T. models, coupled with silence, comfort, and tractability. A true Jekyll and Hyde.'
CJH 378 was the Vincent HRD factory's display machine on stand no. 64, when the new model was announced at the 1936 Olympia Motor Cycle Show 2nd to 7th November 1936. Previously trailed in the motorcycle press, the newly-announced Vincent-HRD was a state-of-the-art rocket ship of its day, with undreamed-of performance, and the price of an average house. The first Vincent model to be proudly christened 'Rapide', its name perfectly encompassed its speed and exoticism.
As is so often the case, the announcement of the new model was timed to coincide with the major annual motorcycle show, which was then held at Olympia, prior to its move to Earl's Court. Such was the rush to have the bike ready in time for the show, that Vincent were obliged to display this machine without engine internals. Bearing engine number V1001, it took pride of place on the stand and created huge interest over the length of the show. It was effectively the second Rapide to exist, as engine number V1000 had been fitted to a 500 frame for testing and development. That bike is thought to have been broken up, leaving this machine as the oldest remaining complete Rapide. A copy letter on file from Pat MacIver details how he built V1000 in the Experimental Department, whilst George Brown built this machine, V1001, in the Service Department for the Olympia Show (the recipient of the letter casts doubt on this, and thinks it more likely that it was Brown's brother Cliff who built V1001).
CJH 378, often known also by its engine number, V1001, was actually sold on the stand at Olympia, by Philip Vincent to its first owner, Pat Goffey, with the proviso that it first had to go to Kings of Oxford, to whom it was promised for promotional purposes. Following the Show, the bike returned to the factory to be completed, and was registered by Vincent on the 10th December 1936, before being sent to Kings in January 1937, going to Pat Goffey a short time later. The bike featured in a number of publicity photos during the period before World War II.
Goffey had owned a 1932 model PS prior to buying the Rapide, and he also purchased a Comet, CJH 398 around the same time, suggesting that he was not without funds! Goffey purchased another Rapide, EAR 642, in 1938. During the war he was a member of Sir Malcolm Campbell's 'Bluebirds', using EAR 642 as a rapid transport device for delivery of urgent War Office messages. Possibly when acquiring EAR 642 in 1938, Goffey disposed of CJH, and according to information in the history file, it is believed to have passed to Peter Aitchison, who raced it at Phoenix Park and Donnington Park., although there is no hard evidence of this. Aitchison died racing a Norton in the 1946 Manx Grand Prix. CJH 378 next appears in 1946, when it was purchased by one David Jennings-Bramley, from Slocombes of Neasden for the sum of £130. However, in July 1947, he was posted to West Bengal and the bike was left to languish until his father sold it to the owner of a local garage, one Mr Stevens, for £60, around 1953 (letters in the history file refer). The trail goes cold then until 1955, when a copy of the RF60 on file records that Francis Arthur George Thomas acquired the machine on 16th February 1955. It transferred to Peter Francis Minch of Bexley, Kent, in January 1959, before reaching John Wright Shovelton of Plumstead London SE18 in July 1959. Shovelton used the bike on a regular basis until laying it up in 1967. He moved North to Blackburn in 1968, leaving CJH stored in a garage in the South, before eventually moving it to Blackburn. Although intending to restore the machine, nothing was ever done by him, though he steadfastly refused to dispose of it. After he passed away, the bike was offered to the present owner who knew of the machine, and it changed hands for the last occasion in 1999. Badly in need of attention by this time, the vendor began what turned into an 18-year restoration. He devoted much time to the task, and there followed a painstaking and well-documented restoration. Much information was sought, and many letters in the history file attest to this, in order to make the restoration as accurate as possible, and the task was finally completed in 2017.
In the course of restoration, copies of the Works Order Form were obtained which records that V1001 was supplied as 'Special Show Model' with polished crankcases, polished gearbox, TT bars, Duo brakes, Lucas Dyno Mag, Speedwell mudguards, pillion seat, a 120 mph speedometer, and an Eight-day clock. Since manufacture, the Burman gearbox, which was always suspect on the new powerful twins, has been replaced with another earlier one.
One part of the history of the series A Rapide model is brought into focus with reference to the history of CJH 378. When the first ones were built, the new frames were constructed along the same lines as the 500cc models, with the centre frame section extended to accommodate the larger motor. However, it was discovered that a number of the original frames were subject to breakage, and after the first few (possibly less than ten), a new frame was developed with a 1 ½ inch diameter down tube replacing the original 1 ¼ inch tube. This was found to cure the frame breakages, and the first machines were eventually fitted with the improved part, as and when required. The original section has been changed on CJH 378, as one would expect, at some time, as can be seen on the machine, but where, and when, is not known. The replacement frame section carries the stamped number RP383TM, which is not recognised as a usual frame number or part number. It is possible that, as this machine was the first to appear with the original twin frame, and would probably have been one of the first to be rectified with the improved frame, perhaps the number is that of a supplier to Vincents. Accordingly, prospective purchasers are advised to carry out their own checks with regard to this aspect of the machine's history prior to bidding. The rear frame section carries the correct identification number DV1229, and the VOC have confirmed that the engine number and rear frame number are original factory stampings. It should also be noted that the V5 log book (and HPI) still bears the frame number DV1229 as listed in the original documents, and present on the rear frame, but has never been updated to the number RP383TM found on the upper frame.
The bike has been exhibited at several shows, and was awarded 'Best Machine of Technical Interest' at the International Classic Motorcycle Show in April 2017. Since completion of the restoration CJH 378 has been kept in pride of place in the owner's living room. The vendor has not started the machine since the end of the restoration, and is at pains to point out that, if a new custodian wishes to run the machine, it should be professionally commissioned and checked over before use.
A very comprehensive history file accompanies CJH 378, which includes various copy period articles and photographs, together with the copy duplicate RF60 dating from 1955, a copy of an old V5, copy of the Hertfordshire registration records, the aforementioned copy of the Works Record Form, copy of Pat Maciver's build notes, and an old-type V5. Additional paperwork comprises a folder of letters and notes, a folder of invoices/ receipts, a folder of typewritten restoration notes, a handwritten notebook account of the ownership, and a copy of the vendor's article published in the VOC's MPH journal. Also present is a copy instruction book.
Seldom does the possibility arise of obtaining a Series A Rapide. Even rarer still, is the opportunity to purchase one with such historical significance, having been the flagship machine for the company which produced arguably the most significant V-twins of the Twentieth Century. An oft-photographed stellar publicity vehicle for one of the most iconic British motorcycle marques. With its existence interwoven with the fabric of the company, it signalled the beginning of the Vincent mythology which still continues today, with so many aspiring to possess one - it all started here, with CJH 378. There can be few Vincent-HRDs which can create so much excitement and interest among the true cognoscenti. The chance will not come again.
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. Visit the Bonhams Motorcycles website for all pertinent auction information.
