Many thanks to Colin Cooper for this treasure trove. His father, Norman Cooper, served in the tank corps during the war and joined Vincents as an apprentice in 1947.
Norman took this shot which, according to his family, has never been seen until now. It is believed to be the original Black Shadow. Brampton forks, of course, HRD stamps on the cases and early 5-inch speedo - plus a line-up of Rapides in the background, which does suggest it's one of a kind at the time.
Gerry Jenkinson and I have now filmed 16 men and women who worked at Stevenage for our documentary, SpeedisExpensive. Some have passed away since we filmed them. And many, like Norman, left us before we could reach them.
But it has been a privilege to record the recollections of people such as Hans Edwards (drawing office), John Surtees (apprentice - racer), Christine Howard (drawing office), Alma Papworth (front desk), Ernie Allen (tool-maker - Ted Davies' passenger), John Griffiths (assembly - racer), Ken Blake (assembly), David Bowen (apprentice-restorer), Richard Whitting (former Sunderland WW2 flight engineer - engine assembly) and racers/record-setter/builders such as Harry Lindsay, Brian Chapman, Fritz Egli and Patrick Godet.
Information about the bikes, and factory, keeps emerging.
David Lancaster.
Norman took this shot which, according to his family, has never been seen until now. It is believed to be the original Black Shadow. Brampton forks, of course, HRD stamps on the cases and early 5-inch speedo - plus a line-up of Rapides in the background, which does suggest it's one of a kind at the time.
Gerry Jenkinson and I have now filmed 16 men and women who worked at Stevenage for our documentary, SpeedisExpensive. Some have passed away since we filmed them. And many, like Norman, left us before we could reach them.
But it has been a privilege to record the recollections of people such as Hans Edwards (drawing office), John Surtees (apprentice - racer), Christine Howard (drawing office), Alma Papworth (front desk), Ernie Allen (tool-maker - Ted Davies' passenger), John Griffiths (assembly - racer), Ken Blake (assembly), David Bowen (apprentice-restorer), Richard Whitting (former Sunderland WW2 flight engineer - engine assembly) and racers/record-setter/builders such as Harry Lindsay, Brian Chapman, Fritz Egli and Patrick Godet.
Information about the bikes, and factory, keeps emerging.
David Lancaster.