This month's column is inevitably going to be heavy on Vincent-HRDs in view of it being 100 years since the founding of the original HRD marque, and also because a pair of Vincents were highlights of the Classic Bike Show Bonhams auction (there being no SS110 Brough Superiors to compete). Even in the workshop a Vincent Firefly has sneaked in for attention ahead of the Flea!
Surprisingly enough PUB was asked to take her HRD to be shown on the VOC stand at Stafford, replying ‘Have you seen my HRD?’ However, the answer was yes, but they knew how far travelled it is (over 20 countries), and it is one of the few survivors of Howard Davies’ original Wolverhampton built bikes before Phil Vincent took over. As the stand would celebrate the 100 year anniversary they wanted it notwithstanding, so it was there (photo probably nearby). Getting a complete stand full of original HRDs would have been overly optimistic, so it was filled out with a very early example of Phil Vincent's first offering (still with a JAP engine at that time), and then a few HRD badged Vincents (the trademark only changing to just Vincent in 1950).
