Vincent HRD |
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The 500cc Engines The first in-house engine, in 1934 was named the Meteor, and all Vincent engines would be based on it. It was a single cylinder ohv, 2-valve motor, with the cylinder canted forward. A sport model was known as the Comet. The engine had alloy head and barrel. Due to Colin Strang a Vincent Comet TT engine was part of the debut of the 500cc category in 1946. On methanol, Colin extracted a confirmed 45bhp from his engine, enough to warrant a visit from Philips Vincent & Irving to find out how he was getting more than the works. In 1949 the race version was launched – the Grey Flash. This engine basically attached half of a Black Lightning motor (see below) to the Comet bottom end. On petrol, the 499cc engine produced 35bhp at a fairly leisurely 6,200rpm (other engines were capable of over 7,000rpm). Being handbuilt, even hand polished internally, Grey Flashes were expensive and rare, so their appearance in Formula III was unlikely. In 1954 Henry Taylor fitted a Vincent in his Cooper Mk IV, and this was probably a Comet. He was successful in the Junior races, but opted for a JAP when he upgraded to a more contemporary Mk VIII in 1955. The Kieft prototype was fitted with a Vincent engine in 1950. ![]() |
The Irving Vincent Back in Australia, Phil Irving teamed up with Lex Davison, owner of a Cooper Mk IV. Irving too saw the potential of a supercharged Vincent Twin, and Davison debuted just such a Black Lightning motor in November 1954. When in 1957 the engine was transferred to a modified Cooper Mk V, the Cooper Irving proved unbeatable, winning the Australian Hill Climb Championship. |
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