Perfect storm
Famous in the 1940s and ’50s, today the Black Lightning is perhaps the
most coveted production bike ever built. Sir Al takes one for a spin...
TEST ALAN CATHCART PHOTOGRAPHY KEL EDGEMORE THAN SIXdecades
ago, the Vincent Black
Shadow delivered the most
performancefromastreet-legal
vehiclethatmoneycouldbuy–
ontwowheelsorfour.Officially
timedat122mph(196km/h),it
outsped the Jaguar XK120 two-
seater,thentheworld’sfastest
production car, making the
Shadow the first superbike.
The ultimate Vincent was
theSeriesCBlackLightning,
aproductionversionofRollie
Free’s 1948 land speed record
bike.Itsgenesisfamously
beganwithLondondealer
andsidecarracerJackSurtees
(fatheroffutureworld
champion John Surtees), who
in 1947 ordered a Vincent
Rapide with special tuning
parts. This engine was builtalongside one used by Vincent
tester George Brown in the bike
known as Gunga Din – the test
bedfortheBlack Shadow and
Black Lightning.
First shown at the Earls
Courtshowin 1948, the
production Black Lightning
caused a sensation. It’s
generally accepted that only 33
complete customer versions –
all Series C except for one Series
D model – were built before
production ended in 1952.
Oneofthefirst to leave the
factory was sent to Sydney in
March 1949 and purchased by
sidecar racer Les Warton. From
1949-1952, six complete Black
Lightnings went to Australia –
the company’s second-largest
export market after the US –
plus two private imports.Sydney rider Tony McAlpine
had great success on a Black
Shadow, becoming virtually
unbeatable in Unlimited class
events and winning 12 major
races from 13 starts.
McAlpine decided to try
his hand in Europe in 1951
on an AJS 7R, finishing 13th
in the Isle of Man Junior
TT. McAlpine also worked
at the Vincent factory at
Stevenage and assembled a
Black Lightning with engine
number F10AB/1C/7305 and
frame number RC9205. This
was completed on 5 June 1951
and in testing hit 130mph
(209km/h) in third gear.
McAlpine’s final race in
Britain before sailing for home
was at the very fast Boreham
Aerodrome circuit, whereEhret Vincent Series C Black Lightning
ironlegends
30 amcn.com.au