Vincent Black Lightning 1952 Motorcycle
Only 31 black lightnings were ever built and only 19 matching numbers examples still exist.
Vincent black lightning 1952 motorcycle. It may indeed be an uncomplicated story but it is brought to life in thrilling and moving fashion by this perpetually underrated singer songwriter. At the time of its introduction in 1948 the vincent black lightning was the fastest production motorcycle in the world capable of achieving 150 mph through its 70 hp 998cc v twin engine. The 1948 vincent black shadow was at the time the world s fastest production motorcycle. It tells the story of a thief named james and the girl red molly whom he charms with a ride on his 1952 vincent black lightning motorcycle.
In 1952 after financial losses were experienced when releasing capital to produce a vincent engined prototype indian vindian for the us market during 1949. Built in three different series over the course of its life the line continued until 1955 after which the company stopped all motorcycle production. The vincent black lightning was a vincent hrd motorcycle first built in september 1948 at the vincent works in great north road stevenage hertfordshire uk and produced from 1948 to 1952. Already advertising their existing 110 mph rapide machine as the world s fastest production motorcycle in february 1948 the distinctive vincent black shadow was announced with a top speed of 125 mph.
The vincent black lightning was built between 1948 and 1952 when the last model rolled out of the vincent factory in stevenage england. This weekend during the vintage festival at the barber motorsports museum in birmingham alabama one of these ultra rare legends will go on the bonhams auction block. It s the second black lightning ever built. The name was changed to vincent engineers stevenage ltd.
While the vincent black lightning shares its lineage with the shadow which hunter s. A factory delivered black lightning was capable of 150 mph if you were brave enough and no small amount of bravery was required as braking technology hadn t yet caught up with rapidly increasing horsepower levels. When thompson s name is mentioned it is often in. The myth of vincent motorcycles black lightning robb report duration.
The vincent black lightning was the fastest and most desirable motorcycle in the world when it was released in 1948. 1952 vincent black lightning is a song by guitarist richard thompson from his 1991 album rumor and sigh. Robb report recommended for you. Thompson immortalized in his 1971 novel fear and loathing in las vegas it s a legend in its own right.
Even a song about this bike was recorded by richard thompson. The bike was a purpose built factory modified black shadow that was then named and produced as the black lightning.