1935 BROUGH SUPERIOR 982CC SS80 (LOT 356)

This motorcycle is to be auctioned at our Live and Online Summer Sale, Hanger 113, Bicester Heritage, OX26 5HA.

Please click the link to see the full online Lot listing: https://www.bonhams.com/auctions/26111/

SALE TIMES
Friday 14 August Spares & Memorabilia (Lot 1 - 212) 10am
Saturday 15 August Motorcycles (Lot 301 - 462) 10am
Sunday 16 August Motorcycles (Morbidelli Collection) (Lot 501 - 704) 10am

VIEWING
In light of the current government guidelines and relaxed measures we are delighted to welcome viewing, strictly by appointment. All the lots will be on view at Bicester Heritage in our traditional Hangar 113. We will ensure social distancing measures are in place, with gloves and sanitiser available for clients wishing to view motorcycle history files.

Please contact Bonhams Motorcycles with your preferred date, time and vehicle registration number to book an appointment.

VIEWING TIMES
Wednesday 12 August 1pm to 5pm
Thursday 13 August 9am to 5pm
Friday 14 August 9am to 5pm
Saturday 15 August 9am to 5pm (Lots 501-704 only)

LIVE AND ONLINE AUCTION
Please note that whilst public viewing is available by appointment, the auction itself will be conducted from a remote saleroom, behind closed doors without public access, in accordance with the current government guidelines. All bidding will be conducted via Online, Telephone and Absentee Bidding. Please contact our Bids Department to register.

AUCTION ADDRESS
Hangar 113
Bicester Heritage
Buckingham Road
Bicester
Oxfordshire
OX26 5HA

1935 BROUGH SUPERIOR 982CC SS80 (LOT 356)
REGISTRATION NO. UFF 129
FRAME NO. M8/1535
ENGINE NO. BS/X4 4208
• Matching numbers (frame, engine, gearbox, tank)
• Restored by Dave Clark in the late 1990s
• Present enthusiast ownership since November 2000
• Excellent condition

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.

This example is one of 460 Matchless-engined SS80's built, of which some 300-or-so survive. A long-time member of the VMCC and retired university professor, the owner first saw this SS80 when it was advertised in Old Bike Mart. The machine had previously undergone a 'last nut and bolt' restoration in the late 1990s by Brough Club technical historian Dave Clark, following an earlier refurbishment of the cycle parts by John Fisher. A copy of the machine's Works Record Card was obtained from the club, confirming that it is an all-matching example (frame, engine, gearbox, tank) albeit one that has been reregistered (previously 'ANG 197').

Having been rebuilt by the best in the business, the Brough needed no work, though its owner decided to fit a Lycett pillion saddle and a plastic flyscreen. In this form the Brough featured in a five-page article in The Classic MotorCycle (September 2006 edition, copy available). Kept in a vacuum bag and last run in 2019, the Brough is described by the private vendor as in excellent condition. The machine is offered with a history file containing correspondence; photographs; expired MoTs; bills; an old-style logbook (issued 1963); and old/current V5/V5C documents. It should be noted that teh frame and engine numbers are transposed to the V5C.

£65,000 - 80,000
€73,000 - 89,000

As with all Lots in the Sale, this Lot is sold 'as is/where is' and Bidders must satisfy themselves as to the provenance, condition, age, completeness and originality prior to bidding.