1948 Vincent HRD Black Shadow sells for $138,000

A 1948 Vincent HRD Black Shadow Series-B led Bonhams' Autumn Stafford auction on October 16, achieving £113,500 ($138,223).

The lot is one of only 76 examples of the Series-B that Vincent produced before replacing the model with the Series-C.

Vincent Black Shadow
The 1948 Vincent HRD Black Shadow was shipped to Zambia in the late 1940s

In addition to its fabled good looks, it was also the first production bike capable of reaching 125mph.

This particular specimen was shipped to Zambia in the late 1940s. It was later bought by a British contractor, who had it brought back to the UK in 1976 and spent several years restoring it.

Since then it's been a regular at British concours and rallies.  

A rare matching numbers 1937 Brough Superior 11-50hp motorcycle combination made £85,500 ($104,124).

The motorbike and sidecar was one of seven 11-50s delivered new to Sheffield Police in 1937 and still retains its police leg shields.

Only five of the original seven have survived, with this the only one to retain its original sidecar chassis.

Other highlights included a 1921 Norton 490cc racing bike competed by Norton works rider J Shaw in the 1921 Isle of Man TT.

The bike achieved sixth place in the event, leading company founder James Norton to begin work on a new overhead-valve engine. It was introduced the following year.

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