A Bike Collector's Dream: A Vincent Black Shadow Speeds to Auction

A small private collection of fine and rare vintage motorcycles is to be sold at Tennants Auctioneers on Sunday 12^th May as part of its Motor Vehicles and Automobilia Sale in North Yorkshire.

The collection belonged to the late Eddie Saxton, a dedicated enthusiast from the North of England, and the highlight is a 1952 Vincent Black Shadow Series C, estimated at £20,000-30,000 plus buyer’s premium. The Black Shadow is regarded as the world’s first superbike and, with a top speed of 125mph, it was the fastest production motorcycle of its era. The Black Shadow was made by Vincent H.R.D. in Stevenage, Hertfordshire between 1948-1955, a company renowned for fine engineering and innovative design. Indeed, the Black Shadow was so expensive to make, that Vincent actually sold them at a loss.

Tennants’ Motorcycle Specialist Rob Armstrong says of the vehicle “The Vincent Black Shadow is probably the most iconic motorcycle in the world and some examples have broken auction records topping the £500,000 mark. To be offered this machine to sell is extremely exciting, and it will certainly attract huge interest amongst collectors and enthusiasts”.

Unlike many of the top motorbikes, which sit in museums and garages unused, this example was ridden and maintained to a high standard and is in a very good, original condition accompanied with a wealth of spares and reference materials.

The collection also includes a 1928 Sunbeam Model 8.OHV (estimate: £6,000-8,000), a 1929 Scott Super Squirrel (estimate: £5,000-6,000 plus premium), a 1930 Triumph NSD (estimate: £5,000-7,000 plus premium), a 1959 Ariel VB (estimate: £2,000-2,500 plus premium), and a 2001 Royal Enfield Bullet (estimate: £1,500-2,000 plus premium).

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