At a Vincent Owners’ Club dinner in the summer of 1955, Phil Vincent announced that the company could no longer continue in the face of heavy losses and that just 100 more machines would be built, then motorcycle production would cease. After 27 years building some of the most iconic and fast motorcycles in the world, tha last Vincent came off the Stevenage production line a week before Christmas in 1955.
A year before, Vincent has developed the new Series D. The Black Knight (based on the Rapide)…
…and the Black Prince (based on the Black Shadow).
They were a natural progression from the Series C with upgraded machine specifications, modifications to the rear subframe, suspension, seat arrangement and with a new hand-operated stand. They also featured a fibreglass handlebar fairing with a tall screen and matching front legshields, and long side enclosures creating streamlining to improve rider comfort.
The change in direction and style was poorly received by the public. Vincent also suffered delays in production waiting for the new bodywork to be supplied with an acceptable paint finish. And they were expensive, while cars were becoming more affordable. By the time motorcycle production was stopped, only 460 Series D machines had been built.
The factory turned to general engineering, the manufacture of industrial engines, and even a water scooter. But the glory days were over and the company went into receivership in 1959.