The Last Vincent Black Lightning?

By Greg Williams
Published on July 31, 2009
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Could this be the last Vincent Black Lightning ever made?
Could this be the last Vincent Black Lightning ever made?
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Could this be the last Vincent Black Lightning ever made?
Could this be the last Vincent Black Lightning ever made?
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Could this be the last Vincent Black Lightning ever made?
Could this be the last Vincent Black Lightning ever made?
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This particular Vincent Black Lightning carries an inconsistent number, likely stamped in by the previous owner.
This particular Vincent Black Lightning carries an inconsistent number, likely stamped in by the previous owner.
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The Indian Vincent, circa 1962, with new Honda CB77 and BMWs in the background.
The Indian Vincent, circa 1962, with new Honda CB77 and BMWs in the background.
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Could this be the last Vincent Black Lightning ever made?
Could this be the last Vincent Black Lightning ever made?
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This Indian Vincent’s engine appears to be to full Black Lightning spec.
This Indian Vincent’s engine appears to be to full Black Lightning spec.
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The frame number isn’t Vincent standard, but appears on the original title issued by Indian in 1961.
The frame number isn’t Vincent standard, but appears on the original title issued by Indian in 1961.

Vincent Black Lightning
Years produced:
1948-1954
Claimed power: 70hp @ 5,700rpm
Top speed: 150mph
Engine: 998 OHV air-cooled 50 degree V-twin
Fuel capacity: 3.4gal (15.25ltr)
Price then/now: $1,800 / $150,000

Hollywood would love this story. Two guys bolt a strong box into the floor of a van and fill it with $150,000 in cash. They leave Florida and head west — way west. The pair enters a small, dusty New Mexico adobe home where they lay eyes on their prize; the pieces of a very unique Vincent motorcycle just inside the doorway. But this isn’t Hollywood; it’s reality.

New Hampshire Vincent enthusiast David Dunfey says he’s unearthed the last Vincent Black Lightning motorcycle ever made. And to make the story even more interesting, there is evidence that legendary builder and race tuner Jimmy Hill of Indian motorcycle fame assembled the Black Lightning — on American soil at the old Indian factory in Springfield, Mass. Here’s how the story goes.

Tracking down the last Vincent Black Lightning
David is a well-known Vincent Grey Flash enthusiast. The Grey Flash is a very rare motorcycle (it’s estimated only 31 were built), and to help him keep track of it and other obscure Vincent machines David sat down with the entire library of MPH magazines, the newsletter of the Vincent H.R.D. Owners Club. As he read articles, he made notes on various bikes.

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