Description
VINCENT PROTOTYPE RAPIDE, “1X”

During WW II, design work began on the post-war Vincent twin. On 27th April, 1946, the unpainted fuel tank arrived and was installed on F10AC/1X/1 so that PCV and others could ride it for the first time. Arthur Bourne of “Motor Cycle” then gave it a test spin before returning to write the first words about the new Vincent.

In the ensuing months, it was crashed, repaired, broken, repaired, etc. until it had demonstrated its strengths and weaknesses. Its engine was somewhat different than the production ones, but by later that year, the B was in production and 1X was turned to errands as an outfit at the works. By 1949, the Government wanted to test an 80hp engine for assault boat applications, so 1X went to the Race Shop where Denis Minett records that in April, 1949, he had modified the engine, removed the gearbox by sawing and renumbered it to F10AM/1X/1468 as it was now a marine engine and thus got a new sequence number. The government evidently returned it and not much could be done with a racing marine assault boat engine.

Little is known of its history afterwards except that it is reputed to have been raced as a hill climber and sprinter using an AMC gearbox attached by plates which it still wears. Internally, it is very much a Denis Minett racing engine now and in superb condition. It has low compression pistons to ease starting.

The balance of the original prototype motorcycle is gone according to the current owner of the registration number. The motorcycle starts and runs well and demonstrates the combination of Series “A” and Series “B” parts which were on 1X when first it ran and was tested. One of the famous images with its designers shows the pride they had in 1X.

This item cannot be purchased from the website. Please contact Harris Vincent Gallery to make purchase arrangements.