Rare motorbike collection continues to expand

The two new Vincent motorcycles outside the museum

Two more rare Vincent motorbikes – known in their heyday as the Rolls Royces of the motorcycling world – have been added to the Lakeland Motor Museum’s collection of legendary speed machines.

The 1950 Vincent Grey Flash and 1955 Vincent Black Knight are the latest additions to five fully restored Vincents already on display at the museum.

The Grey Flash is a rare racing model and with only 31 every produced, it has scarcely been seen by the public in recent years. With the annual Isle of Man TT Races currently underway (until 10 June 2016), this prestige model is a timely reminder of a golden era in motorcycle racing.

Meanwhile, the Black Knight conjures up the ultimate ideal of well-engineered, ‘no expense spared’ quality and as a ‘Series D’ model, it adds to the Series A, B and C on show as part of the existing Vincent exhibition. It will also help the Museum to tell the story of the company’s founder Philip Conrad Vincent, who succeeded in changing the world of motorcycling with innovative frame designs, suspension and high performance engines in the middle of the last century.

Chris Lowe, Manager of the Lakeland Motor Museum, says, “For anyone with even a passing interest in motorcycles, the name ‘Vincent’ has an enduring reputation and it’s fantastic to welcome two more of these legendary machines to our ever-expanding collection. Helping to introduce these very rare motorcycles to a new generation of enthusiasts is a great pleasure.”

The Lakeland Motor Museum’s Vincent collection adds to more than 80 other motorcycles on display, including a special section dedicated to the Isle of Man TT Races.

Other restored examples of the Vincent at the Lakeland Motor Museum include:

1937 HRD Series A 500cc Comet
1947 HRD Series B 500cc Rapide
1949 HRD 998cc Black Lightning
1951 Series C 998cc Black Shadow
1953 Series C 500cc Comet.