“The photograph of Rollie Free establishing a new motorcycle land-speed record of 150.313mph astride a V-twin Vincent at the Bonneville Salt Flats in September 1948 is legendary – not least because he was lying prone on the rear mudguard, stiff as a board with his legs hanging out back and wearing only a shower cap, plimsolls and a pair of swimming trunks. But while Free’s unorthodox record-breaking run helped to establish Vincent as the maker of ‘the world’s first superbikes’, founder Phil Vincent also saw the potential for his mighty 1,000cc machines to be developed into what he once described as ‘two-wheeled Bentleys’. In other words, high-performance motorcycles for gentlemen who preferred to ride in suits made from the finest tweed rather than waxed cotton or leather. To this end, Vincent developed the sophisticated Black Prince, based on the range-topping, ultra-high-performance Black Shadow.”

Simon de Burton
Contributor