Among the many machines on show at the opening day of the 1954 Cycle and Mororcycle Show at Earl’s Court was the new ‘Series D’ Vincent Black Prince, an evolution of the Black Shadow. Phil Vincent described it as a ‘two-wheeled Bentley’.
The 998cc Black Prince was produced for two years but the first batch wasn’t available until 1955 because of problems with manufacturing the glass fibre panels. About 200 were made before the factory closed in 1955.
Falling sales of the Series C Vincent motorcycles during 1952 and 1953 was partly attributed to dated styling, so the firm sought to update the range and development began of what were to become known as the Series D machines. The main change was innovative full enclosure and weather protection, with glass fibre panels that included leg shields and a handlebar fairing. The idea was that the rider could travel to work in a suit rather than full motorcycle kit. Well, it was the 1950’s… Care was taken to ensure that the engines were still easily accessible for general maintenance. The rear enclosure was hinged providing access to the rear wheel and drive chain.
Vincent also tried to make it easier for the rider to get the motorcycle on to its stand by adding a huge lever on the left of the machine that could be operated from the saddle.
Alongside it on the Vincent stand was the Black Knight, derived from the Rapide.
Externally, the models are nearly identical. The most readily noticeable difference is in the emblem on the front and rear mudguards/wheel covers, and on the ‘dashboard’. The emblem consists of a Vincent scroll, with the model name (Black Knight or Black Prince) below the scroll and a graphic just above the scroll. For the Black Knight, the graphic is an axe; for the Black Prince, the graphic is a helmet.
And there was more to see at the show…