Reg Dearden Lightning at Montlhéry

Prince Duster

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There were two Vincent HRD stars at the Cafe Racer Festival at the Montlhéry autodrome last weekend: one was the Reg Dearden Black Lightning, breaking cover for the first time in many years. I went over with grandson of Philip Vincent and Associate Producer on our film SpeedisExpensive, Philip Vincent-Day. I will post some shots of Patrick Godet's bikes in a day or so; they were the other stars and caused quite a stir. As many will know, the final time the Dearden bike was ridden in anger was by Irish racer Harry Lindsay who Gerry Jenkinson and I interviewed in Ireland a while back, through the kind help of the late Henry Martini. The bike is now based in Germany - owned by the same gentleman I bought my Rapide off. How fast would this supercharged, factory built Lightning go? We'll never know - but Harry Lindsay told us: 'It would have got to over 170 mph, no doubt... it was quite a bike.’ David Lancaster
 

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vibrac

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If ever you wanted to illustrate the difference between potential and realisation the Dearden Vincent would encapsulate it. I think that this picture is one of the few of the bike in motion how it could have stood for 70 years occasionally pushed around to different plinths is enough to make any enthusiast sad. Not one of motorcycling most memorable achievements.
 

Flylow

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"How fast would this supercharged, factory built Lightning go? We'll never know"

Never say never -
 

highbury731

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Dream contest - the Reg Dearden Vincent versus Burt Munro's Indian. Take them both to Bonneville and blow some cobwebs
Paul
 

greg brillus

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I'm surprised that Reg Dearden didn't let George Brown ride it .........With all the experience George had with these bikes and the specials he built himself.
 
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