Description
This motorcycle is Lot 305 - To be auctioned by Bonhams at The Spring Stafford Sale (The International Classic MotorCycle Show) on 26th & 27th April, please see the Bonhams website for full details.
Auction Timings:
Lots 101 - 147 are to be sold from 14:00 on Saturday 26th April 2025.
Lots 201 - 410 are to be sold from 11:00 on Sunday 27th April 2025.
Public Viewing:
Available 26th & 27th April 2025 from 09:00 until 17:00, at The Stafford County Showground (The International Classic MotorCycle Show).
Lot 305
The ex-Jim Kentish; Brooklands Gold Star-winning
1937 Vincent-HRD 998cc Rapide Series-A
Registration no. DUR 98
Frame no. DV1522 Rear frame no. DV1522
Engine no. V1021
One of circa 78 made
All matching numbers
Single family ownership (father/ son) since 1961
An older restoration
Of all the many makes and models of motorcycle produced during the 1930s, there are two outstanding v-twin-engined thoroughbreds that feature at the top of every knowledgeable enthusiast's 'most desirable' list: the Brough Superior SS100 and Vincent-HRD Series-A Rapide. Of the two, the Rapide is by far the rarer, with a mere 78 produced between late 1936 and the summer of 1939. (Expert opinion differs on this point, but most authorities favour a total in the high 70s). By way of comparison, production of the rival SS100 ran into the hundreds.
The Vincent-HRD marque originated in 1928 when Philip C Vincent acquired the name, jigs, tools and patterns of the recently liquidated HRD Company. ('HRD' stood for Howard Raymond Davies, the Isle of Man TT winner who had founded the firm in 1924). Vincent moved production from Wolverhampton to Stevenage, pioneering his own design of sprung frame on an entirely new range of machines. Like Davies, Vincent relied on proprietary engines, but increasing dissatisfaction with suppliers led to the creation of Vincent's own engine in 1934. A 500cc high-camshaft overhead-valve single, this all-new power unit was designed jointly by PCV and his Chief Engineer Phil Irving who, so legend has it, came up with the idea of a 1, 000cc v-twin after seeing two drawings of the single superimposed on one another. By producing a v-twin in this fashion, many of the existing single-cylinder components could be utilised, thus reducing costs, an important factor for the fledgling concern.
Despite its plethora of external oil pipes - an arrangement that gave rise to the famous 'Plumber's Nightmare' sobriquet - the Series-A v-twin is undeniably handsome, its high-set camshafts and relatively short cylinders endowing this magnificent motorcycle with a muscular, broad-shouldered look. On test, the prototype engine proved to be as powerful as its looks suggested, delivering a maximum of 45bhp at 5, 500rpm on a relatively low 6. 8:1 compression ratio. It was installed in a new version of Vincent's sprung frame equipped with Burman four-speed gearbox, girder front fork and powerful twin front brakes, the complete machine tipping the scales at an admirable 430lbs. On the road the Series-A Rapide fulfilled all of its maker's expectations, proving capable of reaching 110mph, comfortably faster then the rival JAP-powered SS100.
The prototype Series-A Rapide was proudly displayed on Vincent's stand at the 1936 Motor Cycle Show at Olympia, but only a handful were sold in 1937, the first full year of production, as the motorcycling public remained sceptical of the upstart firm's performance claims. This scepticism was soon dispelled by the exploits of the works Series-A Rapide racers piloted by Manliffe Barrington and 'Ginger' Wood, the latter shattering the Donington Park lap record in 1938 and returning a staggering standing quarter-mile time of 11. 75 seconds at the Gatwick sprint.
The outbreak of WW2 in 1939 brought production of all Series-A models to a halt, and when Vincent resumed production in 1946, it was with the all-new Series-B. By July '39 when the last Series-A twin was built, the model had been in production for a little over 30 months, and the fact that so few were made has in no small part contributed to this legendary model's mythic status.
Around 50 Series-A Vincent Rapides survive worldwide today, and for one to be offered for sale is an event of exceptional importance. All the more so in the case of the example offered here, the 21st off the production line, which earned first owner Jim Kentish a coveted Brooklands Gold Star - awarded for a 100mph-plus lap of the Surrey circuit - in 1938. The name on the order form is 'J F Kentish', so it would appear he bought it directly from the factory.
In the course of Brooklands' 33 years of operation, only 25 Gold Stars were awarded in the 1, 000cc (Class E) category, compared with 100 in the 500cc class. For the period that the Series-A Rapide was in production (1937-1939) there were only seven awarded in the 1, 000cc class, including that of Jim Kentish. Works riders 'Ginger' Wood and George Brown are both believed to have lapped Brooklands at over 100mph on Series-A Rapides but neither features in the accepted list of Class E Gold Star recipients; whatever the case, Jim Kentish was in exalted company.
Having gained his licence in 1933, Jim Kentish was working 'behind the scenes' in a London theatre by 1938. Taking the afternoon off one day, he rode the Rapide to Brooklands for a mid-week test session and was told by the Dunlop representative that he had been lapping at 'over a hundred' but should not have been using 'road' tyres. With Dunlop racing tyres fitted, Jim returned to the track the following Saturday, lining up against purpose-built racers aboard the Vincent, which was a fully road-equipped sports-tourer. Carrying competitor number '3', the Rapide won one of the two races entered and Jim then rode the bike back to work having achieved a best lap of 106. 65mph on the way to earning his Gold Star. (Copies of contemporary press cuttings are on file.)
Jim's recollections of his first race were published in Motorcycle Classics in 2021 (April edition): "A phone call to P. C. Vincent explaining my troubles - and the fact that I had been talked into entering for the five lap outer circuit handicap race (at Brooklands) on the following weekend produced the sort of service for which the firm has always been noted. The bike was collected, rebuilt (and between you and me, secretly breathed on, I think) and returned in three days.
"We lined up for the race, and I felt horribly out of place with fearsome track machines on either side, drilled almost transparent with holes, and with handlebars which made me want to laugh. There were plenty of glances at my machine, complete with mudguards, dynamo, tool box...
"We were off! What fun that ride was and how soon it was all over! On returning to the paddock I was told I had won my Gold Star at 106mph." Jim later donated the Vincent's 'Brooklands Can' silencer, assorted paperwork and entry forms as well as his Gold Star to the Brooklands Museum, which is proudly displayed in the museum.
Clearly a formidable, multi-talented competitor, Jim Kentish not only won one of his two races at Brooklands but also competed with the Rapide in the A-CU Rally and the MCC's Land's End Trial (in 1939, number '82'). Selling the Rapide on the outbreak of WW2 in 1939, Jim Kentish joined the Territorial Army Military Police as a motorcyclist, serving under Sir Malcolm Campbell before being transferred to the Royal Signals as a despatch rider and gaining a commission.
He resumed his competition career post-war, competing in the International Six Days Trial on at least three occasions: 1949 on a 350 BSA (number '200'); 1950 on a works pre-production Matchless twin (number '139'); and 1954 on a 225cc James, winning a Silver Medal. He also raced at the Manx Grand Prix in 1947, winning a Replica in the Junior race, and the Isle of Man TT in 1950 and 1951, winning a Replica in the latter year. Second place in the 350 handicap race at the 1949 North West 200 was another notable achievement.
After serving as the Southern Area sales representative for Royal Enfield, Jim set up his own yachting accessories business. When he sold the latter he spent much of his leisure time touring on his BMW (he never owned a car) and continued to hold a motorcycle licence into his 90s.
The old-style continuation logbook on file records one Harry Ainsworth Parkinson of Staines as owner from 21st April 1953. Parkinson and the vendor's father were neighbours, and the latter remembers see Parkinson riding the Vincent and watch while he worked on it. Eventually Harry Parkinson got too old to ride Vincent and consigned it to the garage. He sold it to the current owner's father, then aged 25, in October 1961, at which time it was still in running condition albeit in need of some refurbishment, which was undertaken by a Triumph dealer in Shepperton. The frame was re-enamelled but the engine required no work.
Vincent Owners' Club used to organise Series-A section meetings, and the vendor's father rode 'DUR 98' to one held at The Belfry in Birmingham. The owner and his bike were pictured in the line-up of machines attending (see photograph on file). He tells us he found the Rapide very comfortable for long trips but did not ride it that often, and when he did it was mostly used for local trips, visiting friends.
In 1996 Jim Kentish, then aged 94, was reunited with 'DUR 98', which must have brought back many happy memories (see photograph on file). He had ridden up from Southampton and told the owner about his Brooklands Gold Star exploits, which the owner had been unaware of, and gave him some Brooklands photographs. He also revealed that he had donated the Vincent's Brooklands Can silencer and Gold Star to the Brooklands Museum. Jim Kentish died in 2006. Our vendor gifted the Vincent to his son some years ago but is still the registered keeper.
On file is a hand-written list of works carried out and components refurbished or replaced when the engine was rebuilt by Tony Wilson circa 1986. Stored inside the house and not used since the rebuilds completion, the machine will require recommissioning before returning to the road (the engine turns over with compression). A nicely mellowed older restoration, 'DUR 98' represents a possibly once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to own and enjoy one of only a tiny handful of Series-A Rapides with Brooklands racing history. Key not required.
We would like to thank the Brooklands Museum for their kind assistance with the photography and cataloguing of this machine.
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.
