Prior to WWII, Phil Vincent bought the rights to the Howard R. Davies company, (founded in 1924?), and adopted the name Vincent-HRD for his entry into the British motorcycle market. Other than the name, there was little similarity between the HRD and the new model, a J.A.P. powered single released in 1929.

The new Rapide was announced to the world in 1937. One statement in the press read:  'The idea behind the design, is the production of an exceptionally lively, high-performance mount with the same superb handling as the smaller models in the range. Not only this, but the makers have aimed at providing a 100 mph machine that is docile and does not rely on supertuning for its out-of-the-ordinary capabilities or require an ultra-high compression ratio.'

The Series A Rapide had many innovations, not least of which was the cantilever rear springing system already proven on the single-cylinder Vincent HRDs. Decades later Yamaha introduced their monoshock system - for all intents and purposes a straight copy of the Vincent system. The Rapide's other features included a stainless steel tank, twin brakes on both wheels, and a duplex primary chain connecting the powerful V twin engine to the Burman four speed gearbox.

These machines proved fast and reliable, and sold reasonably well up until the onset of war in 1939. The Series B Rapide was announced in 1945, very shortly after the war's end. The new machine had many refinements and changes including a 50° cylinder angle and internal oil galleries. This basic layout was retained for the C and D models, the last of which was built in 1955.

A factory-prepared, unfaired Black Lightning achieved 150mph at Bonneville Salt Flats in 1948, ridden by Rollie Free who had stripped to a swimsuit in search of extra speed.

In 1948 the Indian factory sent a Chief to the Vincent factory to have a Rapide engine fitted. Examples were successfully tested on both sides of the Atlantic but the machine did not go into production. A photograph of a very fine Australian restoration is available at IndianChiefMotorcycles.com.

In 1998 an Australian company, RTV, was formed to build replica Vincent motors which were inserted in a modern high-performance chassis. Very few motors were built, and the company folded the following year.

VINCENT HRD - Series A Rapide
Specifications
Make:	Vincent HRD
Model:	Series A Rapide
Engine:	998 cc (84 x 90 mm bore and stroke) 47° OHV V Twin
Tyres:	3 x 20 in front, 3 x 19 in rear
Frame:	Brazed lug duplex tubular cradle. Cantilever rear springing
Front forks:	Girder forks
Brakes:	Twin drums, 7 in diameter in front and rear
Weight:	400 lb
Wheelbase:	58.5 in
Manufacturer:	The Vincent-HRD Co. Ltd., Great North Road, Stevenage, Herts

The Black Lightning had different cams, higher strength connecting rods, larger inlet ports, polished rocker gear, steel idler gears, racing carburetors, a manual-advance magneto and was available with compression ratios between 6.8:1 and 12.5:1.