Description
This motorcycle is Lot 287 to be auctioned by Bonhams at The Autumn Stafford Sale (The Classic Motorcycle Mechanics Show) on 12 & 13 October, please see the Bonhams website for full details.
Auction Timings:
Lots 1 - 176 are to be sold from 11:00 on Saturday 12th October 2024.
Lots 201 - 429 are to be sold from 11:00 on Sunday 13th October 2024.
Public Viewing:
Available 12th & 13th October 2024 from 09:00 until 17:00, at The Stafford County Showground (The Classic Motorcycle Mechanics Show).
Lot 287
Property of a deceased's estate
1928 Brough Superior '1, 134cc' SS100 Alpine Grand Sport
Registration no. YV 5550
Frame no. 969
Engine no. JTO/ C 2945/ T
The most desirable of Vintage-era motorcycles
Present ownership since 1982
Matching numbers
Little used during the present ownership
Legendary superbike of motorcycling's between-the-wars 'Golden Age', Brough Superior 'The Rolls-Royce of Motorcycles' - was synonymous with high performance, engineering excellence and quality of finish. That such a formidable reputation was forged by a motorcycle constructed almost entirely from bought-in components says much for the publicity skills of George Brough. But if ever a machine was more than the sum of its parts, it was the Brough Superior.
W E Brough's machines had been innovative and well engineered, and his son's continued the family tradition but with an added ingredient - style. The very first Brough Superior MkI of 1919 featured a saddle tank - an innovation not adopted by the rest of the British industry until 1928 - and the latter's broad-nosed, wedge-profiled outline would be a hallmark of the Nottingham-built machines from then on. Always the perfectionist, Brough bought only the best available components for his bikes, reasoning that if the product was right, a lofty price tag would be no handicap. And in the 'Roaring Twenties' there were sufficient wealthy connoisseurs around to prove him right. One such was T E Lawrence - 'Lawrence of Arabia' - who owned several Broughs and was critically injured whilst riding an SS100.
Introduced in 1922, the JAP-powered SS80 achieved instant fame when a racing version ridden by George became the first sidevalve-engined machine to lap Brooklands at over 100mph. With the new SS80's performance threatening to put the overhead-valve MkI in the shade, it was decided to completely redesign the latter. The result was the legendary SS100. First shown to the public in 1924, the SS100 employed an entirely new overhead-valve 980cc JAP v-twin engine. A frame of duplex cradle type was devised for the newcomer, which soon after its launch became available with the distinctive, Harley-Davidson-influenced, Castle front fork patented by George Brough and Harold 'Oily' Karslake. And just in case prospective customers had any doubts about the SS100's performance, each machine came with a written guarantee that it had been timed at over 100mph for a quarter of a mile - a staggering achievement at a time when very few road vehicles of any sort were capable of reaching three-figure speeds.
With this level of performance available in road trim, it was only to be expected that the SS100 would make an impact on the racetrack, particularly the ultra-fast Brooklands oval, and the exploits of Brough Superior riders - among them Le Vack, Temple, Baragwanath, Fernihough and Pope - did much to burnish the marque's image. When Brooklands closed forever at the outbreak of WW2, Noel Pope's Brough Superior held both the sidecar and solo lap records, the latter at an average speed of 124. 51mph.
Success in an altogether different branch of motorcycle sport resulted in one of Brough's most iconic models: the SS100 'Alpine Grand Sports' or 'AGS'. Introduced in September 1925 for the 1926 season, this new machine took its name from the Austrian Alpine Trial, the 1925 event having been contested by a number of SS100s, one ridden by George Brough himself, resulting in the award of six cups, including one for 'Best Performance'. The introduction of the Alpine Grand Sports coincided with that of a new frame for the SS100, and the AGS came as standard with a lower compression ratio (making it more suitable for touring), a small fly-screen and a pair of tool boxes.
Brough entered the 1930s with an entirely JAP-powered range and then in 1936 the SS100 was redesigned with an engine built by Associated Motor Cycles, in which form it continued until production ceased in 1939. Lighter and faster than the subsequent Matchless-engined version, the JAP-powered SS100 has long been regarded as the ultimate incarnation of this famous model.
Perhaps every enthusiast's and collector's dream is to find a hidden gem in a barn or garage, and what we have here is perhaps one of the most exciting of them all: a Brough Superior SS100. Hidden away by its secretive owner, this example had not seen the light of day for decades until it was recently disinterred from its resting place (the last tax disc expired in 1978). Once the tyres had been inflated, the Brough gracefully rolled out of the garage, ready for a new owner to enjoy. But what is also amazing about 'YV 5550' is that not only is it a matching-numbers example of one of the most desirable motorcycles ever, but it also has a full and fascinating history.
The copy Works Record Card confirms that the SS100 retains its original frame, engine and fuel tank no. 1901 (nb the frame number was initially stamped with the first '9' upside down before being corrected at the factory). Its specification included a Binks twin-float carburettor, Lucas magdyno, Klaxon horn, Pilgrim oil pump, two prop-stands, Terry saddle, and plated mudguards with black centres.
The first owner of this exceptional machine was Shell Mex Ltd, the registered keeper being one Malcolm Vincent Ambler, Chief Motor Engineer at Shell Marketing Ltd. Presumably, the machine was his 'company vehicle,' or perhaps it was used for marketing and promotional purposes. This remains unclear; however, in 1931 the Brough was resold to P Platts in Manchester, probably the motorcycle dealer Percy Platts of Oldham, Manchester. The Brough Superior Club also records the Oldham-based daredevil speedway rider, trade unionist and Communist Party member Clem Beckett (1906-1937) as another owner of 'YV 5550' (Platts garage was located on the same stretch of road as Beckett's garage). Beckett gained fame in speedway, winning the Golden Helmet at Owlerton Stadium, and founded the Dirt Track Riders' Association to help protect riders' rights. A committed communist and anti-fascist, Beckett volunteered for the International Brigades in the Spanish Civil War, where he served as a machine gunner. He was killed in the Battle of Jarama in 1937 while covering his comrades' retreat.
Another interesting former owner is one Harry Biggs, who is referenced in a 1955 article in The Motor Cycle about 'YV 5550' entitled 'A Brough Day in the Hills.' The then-owner was Harry Muckalt, while the author of the article, and Muckalt's sidecar passenger, was R D Humber (copy article on file). In the very first paragraph, it states 'YV 5550' had been the property of Harold 'Harry' Biggs - qualified engineer, tuner, and Brooklands competitor on various makes - who worked for Duzmo, Alfa Romeo British Sales, JAP, Frazer Nash, Automobile Supertuners, and Marshall Superchargers among others. While with Supertuners he worked on one of Sir Henry Segrave's 2-litre Sunbeams. Biggs had commenced his career in the tuning department of G H Tucker, the Bristol-based Norton specialist, and in a 1942 article in Motor Sport magazine, Biggs recalled that Tucker had received one of the first SS100 Brough Superiors. Biggs is also well known for his exploits with the Austin Seven, and in 1939 became one of the founding members of the 750 Motor Club.
The SS100 subsequently passed to BS Club members Jonathan Lemon and then Peter Robinson (both from the Kendal area) in the late 1950s/ early 1960s. In an BS Club Newsletter article on file, Jonathan Lemon recalls that 'YV 5550' had been in a poor state when acquired by Harry Muckalt. Muckalt rebuilt and modified the engine, fitting KTOR 85mm-bore cylinders thus increasing the capacity to 1, 134cc, and also fitted a Norton four-speed foot-change gearbox, though these modifications were subsequently reversed so the Brough could qualify for Vintage hill climbs. Following the engine rebuild and modifications, Muckalt used the SS100 both as a solo and with a sidecar for around three years. When Muckalt emigrated to Canada, he sold the Brough to Jonathan Lemon. According to Lemon: "Thousands of miles were covered in all weathers, but I was never let down. Frequent trips were made to London from Keighley where I used to work." He also mentions taking the Brough on a holiday in Brittany in 1963 and a tour of the Isle of Skye and the Outer Hebrides.
It was Lemon who returned the SS100 to original specification in order to ride it in the Vintage class at the Westmoreland Motor Club's hill climb at Barbon, a process that took months. Despite the original 'little cylinders' spoiling the flexibility, Jonathan won a third-in-class award; he replaced the large-bore cylinders after the event.
In 1967 'YV 5550' was sold to Peter Robinson of Staveley, Kendal, who was a ships engineer and active member of the BSC. He tragically died in an on-board accident in 1979 and, following a period on loan to the Holker Hall Museum, the SS100 was purchased from Peter Robinson's widow by the late owner for £2, 400 in 1982. Thereafter the Brough rarely saw the light of day until it was retrieved from its resting place earlier this year.
Accompanying documentation includes an old-style continuation logbook (issued 1957); old/ current V5/ V5C registration documents; photocopied articles; a copy of the Brough Superior Club Quarterly Journal; and an MoT certificate (expired 1979).
Offered fresh to market, this wonderful Brough Superior SS100 Alpine Grand Sport represents an exceptional opportunity for the discerning enthusiast and collector to acquire perhaps the ultimate collector's motorcycle.
All lots are sold 'as is/ where is' and Bidders must satisfy themselves as to the provenance, condition, age, completeness and originality prior to bidding. Visit the Bonhams Motorcycles website for all pertinent auction information.
