Rare Indian-Vincent Factory Prototype Motorcycle to Vegas Bonhams

Rare Indian-Vincent Factory Prototype Motorcycle to Vegas Bonhams
This 1949 Indian-Vincent Factory Prototype should bring in $250,000-$300,000

Indian-Vincent Factory Prototype Motorcycle

Rare Indian-Vincent Factory Prototype Motorcycle to Vegas Bonhams
This 1949 Indian-Vincent Factory Prototype should bring in $250,000-$300,000

One of the most unique motorcycles in existence—a 1949 Indian-Vincent Factory Prototype—is about to go on the block at Bonhams’ seventh annual Las Vegas Motorcycle Auction.

The prototype is a blend of the then-branded Indian Motorcycle Manufacturing Company and Vincent HRD, and only one of two produced. The Indian-Vincent Factory Prototype is a Vincent Rapide with Indian components. The other, more popular one, the Vindian, is an Indian Chief with a Vincent engine. The rarer and VOC-documented Indian-Vincent Factory Prototype is expected to sell for $250,000 – $300,000.

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Both bikes were created after a collaboration in 1948 between Ralph Rogers, then manager of Indian, and Philip Vincent, the Director of Vincent HRD. These men agreed to build and sell a hybridization of their motorcycles to the American market.

Both the Indian-Vincent Factory Prototype and the Vindian were built in Vincent’s factory located in Stevenage, England, and were shipped to Indian’s factory in Springfield, Mass. Due to Indian going bankrupt in 1953, the models were never produced.

Speaking of the Indian-Vincent Factory Prototype, Bonhams says: “The singular Indian-Vincent combined the exceptionally fast and desirable Series C Rapide engine and components with Indian frame and electrics, and employed several distinctions aimed at US riders, such as high handlebars, additional lights, crashbars and converted left-side gearshift. The prototype was personally taken by Phil Vincent later that year to Australia, where it has remained most its life.”

This will be one of 16 Vincent motorcycles on the block at Bonhams Las Vegas Motorcycle Auction, which is set for Thursday, January 26, at Rio Hotel & Casino. Other Vincent models include a Comet, Rapide, Black Shadow, Black Prince and Black Knight.

“It’s exciting to have so many examples in one auction,” says Nick Smith, Bonhams’ US Head of Motorcycles. “Vincent is one of the most respected and sought after names in the world of collectors’ motorcycles and to have this unprecedented assembly – not to mention being selected to represent the legendary prototype – is just phenomenal. It’s an incredible opportunity for Vincent aficionados.”

For additional information, visit Bonhams Vegas Motorcycle Auction.

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