1950 Vincent - A Red Rapide Experience -
Howdy Sir,
I have one. It's restoration and this variant's nuances can be viewed by clicking the link in my signature. They were produced in 3 batches and the closest to a Black Shadow in this configuration was a White Shadow in red. I've procured pix of this extraordinarily rare piece from the owner and will be adding them to my site in the ...some others section. A few were done with red fenders/fuel tank but the rest of the cycle parts black, I know of one now in a museum in Iowa that was in this configuration but is now all red. Additionally, as you'll see at my site, they sometimes came with white seat covers.
Mine's an early 50 vin numbered transitional model with a 12/50 dispatch date and was acquired in original paint under a light dusting of black applied by the dealer when new in order to get it sold in his tradition-bound market place. Pigmentation instability results in the few preserved originals having a slightly pinkish tint if they've been exposed to sun/weather for any length of time. I had lots of reference points on mine and as this machine was doddered around town gently and color scanners like flat surfaces I took my sample off of the perfectly preserved inside of the front brake backing plate (left the original paint on this surface during resto) and it cross references over exactly to pre-89 Porsche Guards Red.
Though not to some people's tastes, they have a dramatic presence in any classic bike gathering and this bright monochromatic color scheme serves to highlight the unique engineering/quality of a Vin....and this one’s perfect blingy compliment to my more dour and purposeful looking 50 Shadow.