While equalling a Rolls-Royce for quality of construction and finish, in spirit the Brough Superior was more akin to the sporting Bentley. In its maker’s own words, the Brough Superior was ‘a type of machine designed from the experienced solo rider’s point of view.’ To prove the point, Brough lost no time in demonstrating his machine’s capabilities in the most attention-grabbing way possible - by racing at Brooklands. Introduced in 1922, the JAP-powered SS80 (so-called because of its guaranteed 80mph top speed in road trim) achieved instant fame when a stripped-for-racing version (nicknamed ‘Spit and Polish’) ridden by George became the first sidevalve-engined machine to lap the Surrey track at over 100mph. Even more surprising was the fact that this landmark figure had been achieved on its maker’s Brooklands debut. That particular Brough Superior SS80 - subsequently re-christened ‘Old Bill’ - went on to win 51 out of 52 races contested, only failing in the last when a tyre burst. An early example fitted with JAP’s four-cam, 980cc motor, this magnificent, matching numbers (registration/frame/engine) SS80 comes with Brough Superior Club copy build sheet recording that it was supplied new as a motorcycle combination, complete with Brough Superior Sporting sidecar, via Maudes Motor Mart in Exeter. The accompanying old-style buff continuation logbook (issued January 1954) records the owner at that time as one Arthur Schofield of Wallington, Surrey, and a change of taxation class to ‘bicycle’ in October 1954. Three further owners are listed up to February 1973, when the Brough was registered to one Arthur Thompson, of Wantage, Berkshire. Brian Verral first acquired ‘XX 4379’ in January 1997 and sold the machine to John Michael West, of London N10 in May of that same year. The machine was fully restored for Dr West by respected marque specialist, Simon Miles between January 1998 and April 1999, and comes with his hand-written notebook recording details of the restoration, dates and costs of circa £15,000, this figure being confirmed in correspondence on file between Dr West and Brian Verrall. Brian repurchased the Brough from Dr West in September 2002. Presented in lovely condition, ‘XX 4379’ carries a tax disc dated September 2002, presumably the last time it was licensed for the road, and is offered with two expired MoTs (1999-2000 and 2001-2002); various before/during/after restoration photographs; copy factory brochure extracts; Binks carburettor tuning instructions; assorted expired SORNs and related correspondence; old Swansea V5; copies of previous V5s and current V5C registration document.
While equalling a Rolls-Royce for quality of construction and finish, in spirit the Brough Superior was more akin to the sporting Bentley. In its maker’s own words, the Brough Superior was ‘a type of machine designed from the experienced solo rider’s point of view.’ To prove the point, Brough lost no time in demonstrating his machine’s capabilities in the most attention-grabbing way possible - by racing at Brooklands. Introduced in 1922, the JAP-powered SS80 (so-called because of its guaranteed 80mph top speed in road trim) achieved instant fame when a stripped-for-racing version (nicknamed ‘Spit and Polish’) ridden by George became the first sidevalve-engined machine to lap the Surrey track at over 100mph. Even more surprising was the fact that this landmark figure had been achieved on its maker’s Brooklands debut. That particular Brough Superior SS80 - subsequently re-christened ‘Old Bill’ - went on to win 51 out of 52 races contested, only failing in the last when a tyre burst. An early example fitted with JAP’s four-cam, 980cc motor, this magnificent, matching numbers (registration/frame/engine) SS80 comes with Brough Superior Club copy build sheet recording that it was supplied new as a motorcycle combination, complete with Brough Superior Sporting sidecar, via Maudes Motor Mart in Exeter. The accompanying old-style buff continuation logbook (issued January 1954) records the owner at that time as one Arthur Schofield of Wallington, Surrey, and a change of taxation class to ‘bicycle’ in October 1954. Three further owners are listed up to February 1973, when the Brough was registered to one Arthur Thompson, of Wantage, Berkshire. Brian Verral first acquired ‘XX 4379’ in January 1997 and sold the machine to John Michael West, of London N10 in May of that same year. The machine was fully restored for Dr West by respected marque specialist, Simon Miles between January 1998 and April 1999, and comes with his hand-written notebook recording details of the restoration, dates and costs of circa £15,000, this figure being confirmed in correspondence on file between Dr West and Brian Verrall. Brian repurchased the Brough from Dr West in September 2002. Presented in lovely condition, ‘XX 4379’ carries a tax disc dated September 2002, presumably the last time it was licensed for the road, and is offered with two expired MoTs (1999-2000 and 2001-2002); various before/during/after restoration photographs; copy factory brochure extracts; Binks carburettor tuning instructions; assorted expired SORNs and related correspondence; old Swansea V5; copies of previous V5s and current V5C registration document.
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.jpg "Source: Christie's")
.jpg "Source: Christie's")
