Description
H&H Classic Auction @ The Imperial War Museum, Duxford/ Cambridgeshire
9th October, 2024 13:00
1939 Brough Superior 3. 5-Litre Dual Purpose DHC
Estimate
£50, 000 - £60, 000
Registration No: BUH 665
Chassis No: 8125696/ 100
MOT: Exempt
Chassis no. 100 and reputed to be the very last Brough car manufactured
Finished in Deep Blue the Drophead coachwork is by Atcherley of Birmingham
Sensible upgrades to standard specification include telescopic shock absorbers and hydraulic brakes
Reported to be in 'Good' order throughout
The Brough name is better known in relation to motorcycles than cars, as the company produced over 3, 000 two-wheelers between 1919 and 1940. Dubbed the `Rolls-Royce of Motorcycles', they were prestige machines that attracted a discerning clientele, and among the many famous Brough owners were George Bernard Shaw and T E Lawrence (`Lawrence of Arabia') who had no less than eight and, of course, famously lost his life on one. The firm's car production was minuscule by comparison and limited to circa eighty-five examples, but they echoed their two-wheeled cousins in terms of quality. Three models were designed but only two made it into series production - the 4-Litre straight-eight manufactured in 1935/ 36 and the ensuing 3. 5-Litre straight six which produced 107bhp giving 0-60 in 12 seconds and a top speed of 90mph. Most Broughs sported striking Drophead Coupe bodies, which were produced by W C Atcherley of Birmingham.
Chassis no. 100 and reputed to be the very last Brough car manufactured, the Drophead Coupe coachwork is by Atcherley of Birmingham, finished in Deep Blue complemented by Smoke Blue hide interior trim. Known to have spent its early life in the Cardiff area, there was a move to the United States, probably in the late sixties or early seventies, we are not certain of the dates, however, it was repatriated to the UK in the mid-1970s. 'BUH' has been the subject of a prolonged restoration and has been in two private collections in recent years and is well-known to the Brough Club and Brough circles. In ownership there have been some sensible upgrades to the standard specification, these include telescopic shock absorbers and hydraulic brakes.
Reported to be in good order throughout, the vendor advises a ‘recommissioning’ check over and service before use. 'BUH' is offered with a history file which includes the current V5C Registration Document, details of ownership history, a quantity of restoration photos, various paperwork - including press cuttings, notes, the 2004 MOT certificate, a State of Virginia US title document and a HM Customs declaration recording the re-import of 'BUH' (pre NOVA) plus a quantity of Brough Club magazines etc. An excellent opportunity to acquire a well-restored Brough but also an opportunity to acquire an important ‘landmark’ in terms of the history of the Brough company.
