Lot 329 - 1931 Brough Superior 998cc SS80 Deluxe For Sale by Auction

This motorcycle is Lot 329 - To be auctioned by Bonhams at The Spring Stafford Sale (The International Classic MotorCycle Show) on 26th & 27th April, please see the Bonhams website for full details.

Auction Timings:
Lots 101 - 147 are to be sold from 14:00 on Saturday 26th April 2025.
Lots 201 - 410 are to be sold from 11:00 on Sunday 27th April 2025.

Public Viewing:
Available 26th & 27th April 2025 from 09:00 until 17:00, at The Stafford County Showground (The International Classic MotorCycle Show).

Lot 329

1931 Brough Superior 998cc SS80 Deluxe
Registration no. DG 1986
Frame no. 1102
Engine no. KTCS/ H/ 13926/ S
• Matching numbers (frame and engine)
• Offered from long-term family ownership
• Dy stored for over 20 years
• Requires recommissioning

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.

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, George 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.

This matching-numbers (frame and engine) SS80's Works Record Card (copy on file) reveals that it was supplied new to A Williams Ltd and left the factory equipped with Castle (Brampton) forks, tank gate control, seat tube oil tank, detachable carrier, curved type pannier bags, leg shields, police type bars, and chromium plating among other features. The machine has been stored for at least 20 years in a dry garage and will need recommissioning before returning to the road and thus is sold strictly as viewed (the engine turns over). Accompanying paperwork consists of old V5/ V5C documents and an old-style RF. 60 logbook.

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.