Description
National Motorcycle Museum | Solihull, West Midlands
26th Mar, 2025 9:00
1939 Vincent HRD Comet
Owned by the vendor for 68 years
Estimate
£27, 000 - £33, 000
Registration No: FOB 588
Frame No: D1737
MOT: Exempt
Owned by a Vincent enthusiast since 1957
From the last year of Series A production
Supplied with a continuation RF60 and a V5
Vincent Motorcycles, "the makers of the world's fastest motorcycles", was established in 1928 when Phil Vincent bought the rights to HRD Motors Ltd after the company went into voluntary liquidation. With the backing of his family, wealthy from cattle ranching in Argentina, Vincent acquired the trademark, goodwill and remaining components for £450, renaming the new company Vincent HRD. Initially, motorcycles were sold under the HRD brand name, using their own chassis with proprietary engines, however, in 1934 two new engines were developed, a 500cc single and a 1, 000cc V-twin. Always the innovator, Vincent now had full control over his products and began introducing many design features that proved to be way ahead of their time, such as cantilever rear suspension. In 1949, in order to stop any confusion with Harley Davidson (HD) in the USA, they began to use simply the 'Vincent' name on their products. The bikes were the most desirable motorcycles in the world at the time and with some astute marketing become the ones that everyone aspired to own. The 500cc and 1000cc Comets, Rapides and Black Shadows have become some of the most iconic and collectable bikes of the era.
This rare Series A Comet, one of only 52 thought to have been built in 1939, was bought by the vendor in 1957 as his daily transport and weekend pleasure bike. He sadly passed away recently, however, during his long term ownership he used the bike extensively, touring the UK and attending Vintage rallies and Vincent Owners Club (VOC) events. Restored and maintained by him over the years, it is presented in authentic condition although it has not run for a few years, so will need recommissioning before use. First registered on the 18th May 1939, it must be one of the later bikes produced before the factory had to move over to satisfying contracts from the War Office in anticipation of WW2. The bike has been known by the VOC since the 1950s and according to their records, the Engine number C976, UFM & RFM numbers D1737 and gearbox number XBAPH 58512 match a Series A Comet despatched from the Vincent factory on the 17th May 1939 to dealers Kings Motors. The registration number 'FOB 588' was issued in Birmingham so presumably, it was supplied by their shop in the city and looks to have been taxed the day it arrived from the factory. The buff continuation logbook picks up its story in May 1956 showing two owners before being bought by the vendor in October 1957 and cherished by him for nearly 70 years. A rare opportunity to acquire an important part of pre war motorcycle history.
