Rare pre-war Vincent Rapide sells for $330,000

This extraordinary and very important 1938 Vincent-HRD Series A Rapide is among the most coveted motorcycles in the world. No surprise then that it sold for an astonishing $330,000 at the Mecum Las Vegas auction in January 2023.

This extremely rare pre-war superbike is built from an original 1938 Rapide engine mated with an original 1939 frame, correctly restored by a renowned Vincent expert, using OEM parts wherever possible. It’s a well-known machine in the Vincent Owner’s Club, one of just 78 originally produced and likely the only one available at the moment, as few owners sell their pre-war Rapides.

The H.R.D. brand was sold to a young Philip Vincent in 1928. Vincent’s father had made a fortune ranching beef in Argentina, and young Philip Vincent had ideas to incorporate rear springing for the chassis of motorcycles, which he patented and had the opportunity to test with his own business.

Calling his machines Vincent-HRD, Philip originally used JAP and Rudge engines in Vincent’s chassis design. It took Australian engineer Phil Irving to bring life and enduring fame to the Vincent-HRD company, when he designed a high-lift camshaft, 500cc, single-cylinder engine for the new Meteor and Comet models for 1934.

Within two years, the single was ‘doubled up’ to become the 998cc V-twin Rapide model of 1936. It was the fastest production motorcycle in the world at the time, with a 110mph top speed.

The engine was the heart of the beast. It was slightly let down by its choice of a Burman clutch and gearbox, but in truth, only one British gearbox was designed to handle the 50hp of the Rapide, and it was owned by Norton at the time.

Regardless, road testers and the few lucky owners were full of praise for the new Rapide, as it handled well and braked very well for the day, with two drum brakes on both the front and rear wheels. And, it went like a rocket.

Today, the Vincent twin is among the most desirable and valuable motorcycles in the world.