Really? That's interesting. I seem to remember assurances to VOC members that the price eventually realised from the sale of the replica Black Shadow covered its costs. Referring back to the original proposal in 2005, the VOCSC requested a loan - "staged sponsorship" - not exceeding £35,000 to cover the cost of parts and complete assembly.
If I recall rightly, the September 2006 GCM minutes and accounts suggested that the total cost of the project was in excess of £28,000. The Shadow realised £30,000, after an auction in which both high bidders, for £80k and £50k, were suddenly unable to come up with the funds. When the replica motor was unveiled, the VOCSC suggested that it was worth around £18,000 in retail terms.
A basic, working Vincent-style 1000cc motor can be produced for around £10k. It's still a lot of money for the Man on the Clapham Omnibus, which is why one doesn't see retro-Rockers all over the place on Norvins. However, I know of someone who is looking at producing engines that look the part in India for even less.
A rough rule-of-thumb estimate with the price lists in mind indicate that a rolling chassis comprising new parts might cost between £10k and £15k. Retail prices of the UFM, RFM and complete Girdraulics would account for perhaps £6k. That leaves £5k to £10k for the rest: fuel tank at six hundred sovs, footrests for a couple of ton and so on. The VOCSC stated that the project's costs were covered when the machine was eventually sold. That includes the time devoted to the project by the builder, unless that was donated.
Unless I am missing something here, a fellow with enough fitting skills could build himself a new Black Shadow or Rapide for £30k or less, especially if he set himself up with an off-the-shelf motor trade-themed limited company for a hundred quid or so and benefitted from the same trade discounts that might have offered to approved Vincent-HRD workshops had there ever been any intention to produce small scale production runs of replica 1000s. One would also get the VAT back too.
After all, the VOCSC were able to cover all of the costs, including assembly, for £28k, according to the minutes of the GCM cited above. If a chap knew nothing about spanners and fitting and surrendered himself to some of our more expensive specialists and restorers, I would tend to agree with you that a brand new twin would cost him rather more than thirty grand Sterling. However, some of us still know one end of a spanner from the other as a result of living with these and other British motorcycles for decades.
PK