VINCENT FLASHBACK

I was interested to see your article on the Vincent (reprinted from June 2009) in the 40th anniversary edition of

Classic Bike. In February 1969 my father purchased 2½ Vincents from a man in Workington, Cumbria. One was complete but a non-runner; the others were in many boxes. My father borrowed a Morris Minor pick-up and we made the 180-mile return trip on two cold winter nights. My job was to operate the floor-mounted dip switch while sitting between mother and father (with the weight in the back, the lights pointed at the sky).

The complete twin (STD 707) was restored and used as an outfit, which took myself and my mother to the TT races for many years. The other twin (SS 7348) was built up as a solo. The ½ twin (ABR 958, which had an upper frame member and engine) was built up and kept for many years. While out riding SS 7348 one day, my father was flagged down by a man in a Porsche 911. They developed a friendship and the man (Mark Goodson) and my father had many more Vincents and remained friends for 40-odd years. DUNCAN LAWRIE, MELROSE, SCOTTISH BORDERS