Description
This motorcycle is Lot 301 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 301
1937 Brough Superior SS80 Deluxe
Registration no. EGX 3
Frame no. M8 1899
Engine no. BSX4 653
One of only 460 SS80s built
Almost 40 years of ownership from the deceased vendor
Offered for recommissioning or restoration
While equalling a Rolls-Royce for quality of construction and finish, in spirit the Brough Superior was more akin to the sporting Bentley. Not an unwieldy beast intended primarily for sidecar duties like the majority of its v-twin-engined contemporaries, the Brough Superior was, in its maker's own words, "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 (flat head) 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.
Brough entered the 1930s with an entirely JAP-powered range, and then, after a brief absence, the SS80 re-appeared in 1935 as the SS80 Special, this time with an engine built by Associated Motor Cycles. Similar to that of the Matchless Model X, the 982cc sidevalve v-twin incorporated Brough's preferred 'knife-and-fork' big-end bearing arrangement instead of the side-by-side connecting rods of the Matchless. The SS80 continued to use the AMC engine until production ceased in 1939.
One of 460 AMC-engined SS80s built, of which some 300-or-so survive, this example was supplied new to Messrs Godfrey of Gt Portland Street, London and fitted from new with solo gear ratios. The current engine was fitted in 1938 (presumably under warranty) and is documented at the factory (the previous engine was '4482'). An old-style buff logbook from 1960 records the following keepers: P Herridge of Sidcup (January 1960); G D Malin, London (1964); and S Payne of Doncaster (1972), the latter an active BSOC member in his day. The SS80 passed to the lady vendor's late husband in April 1985. Offered for restoration, the Brough also comes with a current V5C document and receipts for past sales between various keepers.
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.
