The Black Lightning is a Black Shadow stripped of the equipments required for road homologation that generate weight and loss of speed. A similar strategy was later practiced by Ferrari with cars in the Competizione variant.
The Vincent Black's (Shadow and Lightning, and later Knight and Prince) are distinguished by the black finish of their metal cases, in contrast to the fashion for chrome plated machines.
Vincent accepts special orders. On January 7 in Las Vegas, Bonhams sells a 1952 Black Shadow that includes some Black Lightning features for fenders and foot control. It is estimated $ 200K, lot 130.
With British humor, Vincent also offered in its catalog a white Black Shadow where the absence of black finish reveals the bare aluminum. Only 15 White Shadows were made and this variant is highly sought after by collectors.
The conformance with the original configuration is very important. A White Shadow made in 1950 was sold for $ 111K including premium by Bonhams on 9 May 2009. Having been twice repainted, it had a red frame. After regaining the normal condition for a White Shadow through a skillful restoration, it was sold for $ 225K including premium on January 8, 2015, also by Bonhams.
It is not so simple. The next sale in Las Vegas offers another one of the 15 White Shadows, made in 1951. It is also red painted ! The Vincent Owner's Club states that this White is the only one among all the Shadows to have been factory painted in red by Vincent. It is estimated $ 300K, lot 135.
Results
1951 White Shadow SOLD for $ 430K including premium
Lot 130 unsold
1952 Vincent Black Shadow Special - star highlight from The Las Vegas #Motorcycle Auction https://t.co/sLaXnTY1We pic.twitter.com/GllLyIZ4Pd
— BONHAMS (@bonhams1793) December 21, 2015
Rare 'one-of-one' Vincent Black Shadow Chinese Red variant- The Las Vegas Motorcycle Auction https://t.co/sLaXnUfCNM pic.twitter.com/Ar79LtrShw
— BONHAMS (@bonhams1793) December 18, 2015