1951 Vincent Comet, Series C, 498cc. Registration number GFO...

Estimate

£7,000 - £9,000

1951 Vincent Comet, Series C, 498cc. Registration number GFO 851 (non transferrable). Frame number, headstock and swinging arm RC/1/7872. Engine number F5AB/2A/4150. Crankcases, both 43 I.
Sold with the V5C, MOT's from 1996 until 2001.
In 1928, Phil Vincent bought the name and rights to HRD, founded by popular racer Howard R Davies. HRD were an established brand and Vincent wasn't, so the most expedient thing to do was attach the latter to the former until the Vincent name had sufficient marketing gravitas to fly alone. Vincent moved production from Wolverhampton to Stevenage and set about putting his motorcycle design ideas into practice, commencing with an innovative sprung frame that would remain a feature of Vincent motorcycles until production ceased in 1955.
At the 1935 Isle of Man Senior TT, three Series A HRD Vincents were entered, and although they didn't win, they all finished, respectively, in 7th, 9th and 12th place. The short-lived Series B engine had been designed during the Second World War and post war, in 1948, two new bikes were launched: The Series B based Meteor and the Series C Comet. The Meteor was a touring roadster and was offered with a Brampton girder fork. The Comet, priced at £240, was aimed at the sporting market and was offered with a Girdraulic fork. They were replaced by the Series D in 1954 after some 3,900 were built; the company collapsed in 1955. The cantilever rear frame was a major selling point in its day and some other quality details are the standard quickly detachable wheels, a 50-watt Miller dynamo, footrests and pedals are adjustable and a side stand is fitted on both sides. In their day they were good for 90mph.
GFO was owned by David Carmichael of Hull from 1996 until he sold it to our Vendor in 2002. The 1996 MOT shows a mileage of 51,163, the next year it was 633, rising to 1,253 in 2001, the odometer now shows 1,255. All of the components are correct and have a lovely patina. As the engine (matching crankcases) is not the one it left the factory with one can presume that it was replaced in 1996/7 and the odometer reset. When our vendor bought it the bike was running very well and he stored it with his other classics. It has remained well looked after and will require recommissioning before road use.