Description
PROTOTYPE BLACK PRINCE

This motorcycle is the very first BLACK PRINCE ever built. As such, it was the same motorcycle as was in all the press photos as the BLACK PRINCE that Vincent took to Earls Court for the show in 1954 along with a Black Knight and a 500 in bodywork. These fully enclosed were both a breakthrough to the future of motorcycles to come and the final chapter in the production story for Vincent.

Using the Vincent Owners’ Club as a sounding board, PCV asked what type of motorcycle they would want next after the Series “C” motorcycles which were aging. What developed was a prototype Black Knight (tuned to Rapide spec.) given extensive test miles and extensive press coverage. No less a rider than Ted Davis appears to have done the miles and appears in most Vincent books covering this. Ted survived a very long time and long enough to recall in the pages of the VOC’s own magazine, M.P.H. that this very BLACK PRINCE, chassis no. RD 12493 B, built in Nov., 1949 is the first one, 493 MPH, p.40, February, 1987. Today, it still bears the same factory originally numbered main and rear frames as well as the matching engine, no. F10AB/2B/10593, matching number E 548 V.

The first few Series “D” enclosed bikes suffered from significant flaws in the glasfibre bodywork once deliveries began some areas of the bodywork were so thin as to be easily punctured. The body work on the first PRINCE had to be reinforced at the Vincent Works for this reason. Worse, on the way to the Earls Court Show, history records that the lorry transporting the show bikes ran off the road and that all the bikes were damaged. Back to the works where emergency repairs were done, some evident still on the PRINCE.

As the first BLACK PRINCE, many parts are distinctly different from the production motorcycles and the finish, chrome and polish are show finishes. The advertising shots are of this bike and several images exist of it carrying PCV himself. He considered it his finest motorcycle.

Today, PRI 998 is in excellent condition, unmodified, showing something over 30K miles., having been first sold in America in 1956. After many years, its first owner from Maryland sold it to a collector on the East Coast of the US who rode it long enough to discover damage to the bottom end of the engine. He entrusted a long-time and noted Vincent engine builder to redo this. It is in excellent condition today considering its years. This extremely rare model has only just come into its own among American enthusiasts, the chief of which is Jay Leno who prizes his own Black Prince. The reason for this, I believe is that these are so unusually styled, they’re like nothing else ever. Only somewhat over 100 were built and when you ride one, you get constant, admiring attention and questions when you stop.

As a bike for your collection, its easier to start due to the post-magneto, points and coil ignition system. For parking, it uses a very convenient center stand actuated by simply raising the handle on the nearside (left) of the motorcycle. Its very effortless. I find riding it very relaxing and that it has good power and speed due to the fact that it is, underneath the skin, a Black Shadow Vincent.

There can only be one of these and I’ve enjoyed owning it and rediscovering its true past. This had been lost before I did the research. Now, this bike really should be in a museum, that seldom do museums purchase rare bikes, evidently preferring to rely on donated items or cheaply priced items. The PROTOTYPE PRINCE will be the flagship for someone’s great collection and is priced to sell at $135K USD. Not many Vincent owners get a picture of the Phil Vincent himself seated on their bike as is the case with this one.

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