Vincent legend Patrick Godet dies

THE DEATH HAS been reported of highly-regarded Vincent builder Patrick Godet. 

Godet was born into a family of road hauliers, spending years working on lorries before pursuing a career in the automotive industry. He bought his first Vincent on leaving the army in 1973. A member of the Vincent Owners’ Club after joining in 1974, he founded the club’s French branch. 

In 1979 he raced a Vincent Black Lightning in prestigious races. With wins in England and on the European mainland, he went on to become a well-known name in the 1980s classic racing scene. 

In the early 1990s, Godet imported a batch of Vincents and a stock of spare parts from Argentina and opened a workshop dedicated to their restoration. His restoration of an Egli-Vincent finally brought him into contact with Fritz Egli, who was so impressed by Godet’s work that he gave his permission for the Godet machines to bear the Egli-Vincent name. Godet built Godet Egli-Vincents in Rouen, France. He also established the only French factory team to compete in veteran races using specially designed Vincent classics. 

A post by Egli-Vincent Motorcycles on November 27 read: “It is with great sadness that the entire Vincent community just learned about the premature death of Patrick Godet. In these painful moments, our thoughts and prayers go to his family and loved ones. According to Patrick’s last wishes, his funerals will take place in a strict intimacy.