Speed is Expensive

The Language of Film

Sep 23

You've heard of a Harley Davidson, maybe even a Norton but have you heard of the Vincent? No? Well, this is the story of Philip Vincent and his motorcycle manufacturing company which made hand-made British bikes in Stevenage that would dominate the land speed records during the 40s and 50s. Speed Is Expensive will be available on Digital Download from 25th September.

This is a fascinating biography of a British motorcycling pioneer, Philip Vincent, narrated by Ewan McGregor, who brings a suitable amount of film star quality from the British motorcycle enthusiast's perspective, piecing together the archive footage of Philip Vincent and his fledgling company along with his family's home movies and interviews.

It's a remarkable story of a prodigy who left an indelible mark on the world of motor racing, which could so easily have never happened. Philip was born in Argentina, the son of a colonial rancher and came to the UK to be educated. His academic prowess got him into Harrow and Cambridge, where he was basically asked to leave because he was spending too much time building and riding bikes.

After leaving Cambridge, he became the youngest owner of a motorcycle manufacturing company at the age of just 19 when he bought his racing hero's company, Harold Raymond Davis (still the only man to win the infamous Isle of Man TT on his own hand-built bike).

Alongside another prodigal force of nature, Phil Irving, who travelled thousands of miles from Australia in an HRD sidecar to join the company, the two Phils would make a formidable partnership transforming the motorcycle industry with their inventions.

The stories and insights into a man and his legacy are made all the more perceptible because Philip Vincent was a keen camera enthusiast all the way back then. His family archive footage is combined with some well crafted filming of his bikes in action including the test drives from the warehouse and racing at the Isle of Man TT, all of which have in turn been lovingly put together by director David Lancaster.

The life of this eccentric British inventor is further imbued by the amusing stories of a bygone era from the people that were there, like when one of the test riders was caught speeding down a country lane only for the judge to throw the case out as nonsense because no motorbike could travel at 110 m.p.h..

Then there is probably the most iconic motorcycling photograph ever taken of a man riding a Vincent motorbike in just a pair of briefs and plimsoles whilst laying horizontally, perched on the back wheel arch, arms out stretched holding onto the handle bars. This isn't any staged photographic pose for artistic endeavour, this is a picture of Rolly (Roland) Free breaking the land speed record at 150 mph on the salt flats of Utah in the USA. The story along with the photo has to be seen to be believed.

The fact that the Vincent bikes attract a following of the rich and famous is further testament of its place in history with its cult status confirmed by quotes from Hunter S Thompson. The bikes have even been written about in songs, featured in books and have sold for millions at auctions with fans describing the Vincent as a mythical beast, and to hear its effortless mechanical purr captured on black and white celluloid is a sight well worth the watch.