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Author Topic: Vincent three wheeler  (Read 10519 times)

richard

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Vincent three wheeler
« on: December 21, 2014, 07:38:19 pm »
some time ago we touched on this prototype  built by the Stevenage motorcycle factory of Vincent , that Rob had been aware of at an East Sussex museum , I  dont think we ever saw any pics did we ? Anyway here is one - fine looking car .Actually on reflection perhaps we did ? anyway worth another look - imaginative reversal of headlamp bowls ,  how illuminating
« Last Edit: December 21, 2014, 07:41:29 pm by richard »
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marcus

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Re: Vincent three wheeler
« Reply #1 on: December 21, 2014, 08:17:14 pm »
I love it! Quite comparable to Berkeley. Did it have a Vincent engine and what size?
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richard

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Re: Vincent three wheeler
« Reply #2 on: December 21, 2014, 09:14:21 pm »
well i only associate Vincent with their big powerful 500cc singles and 1000cc V twins , or possible the licenced 50cc cyclemotor Vincent Firefly but I think we may rule that out on this occasion  ;) , I dont think we ever came up with any details did we ?
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outside of a dog a book is mans best friend. Inside of a dog it's too dark to read .Groucho Marx 1895-1977

Bob Purton

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Re: Vincent three wheeler
« Reply #3 on: December 21, 2014, 10:32:59 pm »
Aluminium body initially powered by the 998cc Rapide V twin and later by the Black lighning.It had no electric starter, no reverse gear or weather protection. It was over before it started.  117mph!!!
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Rusty Chrome (Malcolm Parker)

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Re: Vincent three wheeler
« Reply #4 on: December 21, 2014, 10:35:37 pm »
Here's a few more details - road test from Motor Cycling December 13th 1956
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Malcolm
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marcus

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Re: Vincent three wheeler
« Reply #5 on: December 22, 2014, 08:24:07 am »
With no reverse, weather protection or electric starter it is clearly not a very practical machine, but it sounds like a really nice small sports car. A bit over accepted engine size for RUM, but 3 wheels and rare and unusual  see it included in my opinion! A real shame they never developed it and put it into production. Did this prototype survive?
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richard

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Re: Vincent three wheeler
« Reply #6 on: December 22, 2014, 08:53:51 am »
Hi Marcus , the last time we mentioned this car Rob Dobie said that in the 70's it was in a motor museum in Polegate where he lived . If you use the search function for Vincent you will see Rob posted the address - of course it may no longer be there but ...
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outside of a dog a book is mans best friend. Inside of a dog it's too dark to read .Groucho Marx 1895-1977

marcus

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Re: Vincent three wheeler
« Reply #7 on: December 22, 2014, 01:21:57 pm »
Cheers Richard! I've been so busy that i have not called in here much and have missed plenty. Hope to be around more next year!
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Big Al

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Re: Vincent three wheeler
« Reply #8 on: December 23, 2014, 10:35:02 am »
So going back to Powerdrives. This is more like what it could have been, though the engine might now be a bit large. Better looking body on the Powerdrive. Its the old trike prob of reverse gear availability on a ex motorcycle engine, and the preference for electric start. What engine options were there at the time. Not many.
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richard

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Re: Vincent three wheeler
« Reply #9 on: December 23, 2014, 10:52:27 am »
Well the obvious choice was to go the Albion reverse gearbox as Berkeley used as they did the Royal Enfield 750 engine . If serious Vincent would have used their still potent 500 single with separate Albion box , but this doesn't get around the kick start - I doubt they were ever very serious about it really
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Big Al

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Re: Vincent three wheeler
« Reply #10 on: December 23, 2014, 11:04:07 am »
A hand start would have breached the need to not be seated. But I think it would have not been acceptable to potential buyers. So your right.
Albion seems happy to take the power from the Enfield in tuned state, so while its not the most sophisticated gear change, it certainly cuts the mustard.
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richard

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Re: Vincent three wheeler
« Reply #11 on: December 23, 2014, 07:56:48 pm »
Vincent special , sorry straying off topic , WOW
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outside of a dog a book is mans best friend. Inside of a dog it's too dark to read .Groucho Marx 1895-1977

Rusty Chrome (Malcolm Parker)

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Re: Vincent three wheeler
« Reply #12 on: December 23, 2014, 09:55:04 pm »
Hey, there's even a kit for one of these on Ebay at the moment.

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/221637512356?ru=http%3A%2F%2F
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Malcolm
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Big Al

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Re: Vincent three wheeler
« Reply #13 on: December 24, 2014, 09:32:54 am »
Strewth mate! Tiger prices. Where was that Powerdrive again?
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AndrewG

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Re: Vincent three wheeler
« Reply #14 on: December 24, 2014, 10:28:38 am »
I hadn't expected to see this in a 1950s motorcycling publication:

Quote
Did we drift?  Beautiful!  And absolutely no suggestion of wheel lift or desire to turn turtle; just glorious tyre scream.

Which shows that the current small boys' (and young men's) obsession that a high performance vehicle is one that can overcome its traction limits isn't a new idea.

But then I think limiting tyre grip in a fast vehicle that could turn over is a fairly safe idea.
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