Brough Superior, then and now

Pronounced same as rough I'm told, not bro...


----- Original Message ----- From: "Allan Johnson" <afjohnson@sympatico.ca>
To: <brit-iron-l@list.indiana.edu>
Sent: Tuesday, October 09, 2012 7:16 AM
Subject: Brough Superiors new and used, etc., etc.,


Dear Brit-Iron,

There has been some comment and confusion on the list regarding the "new" Brough Superiors and as one of the list members who is an owner (and rider) of 1933 and 1938 Broughs. May I try to clarify the situation a bit.
Brough Superior motorcycles and cars made from 1920 to 1940 were made by George Brough, a sole proprietor, of first one and later two small factories in Nottingham, England. The business did not become incorporated until after motorcycle production ceased in April, 1940. It was incorporated as George Brough Limited during WWII when the company occupied 3 separate factories and manufactured Rolls-Royce Merlin aero-engine components and did Merlin engine overhauls. The company continued as George Brough Limited (sole owner George Brough) after WWII in the production of precision-machined components for industry until George Brough died in Feb., 1970. Mrs. Brough sold the company buildings and equipment to several of the managers who had worked for George Brough and the firm was incorporated as "Brough Superior Engineering Ltd." It did not manufacture any motorcycles or cars but chiefly component for Bonser forklift trucks. This firm closed in 1983 and the assets were sold off. The incorporation papers were kept valid and a few years ago were acquired by Mark Upham, (operating as Netherton Industries) who also acquired, from another source (which had attempted to produce 10 Brough Superior replicas of a 1929 SS100 in the 1990's) the use of the "Brough Superior" and "J.A.P" names. The Brough Superior motorcycles now being produced (as of 2010 six engines had been constructed) are the ones being offered for sale in the $250,000 bracket. They are based on, but not identical to, the late 1920s SS100 models produced by George Brough.
Later this month (Oct. 23rd) the H&H auction firm (http://www.classic-auctions.com) will auction off several Brough Superiors. The sale is at the Imperial War Museum, Duxford, England. there is a 1933 11-50 to be sold without reserve (so no estimated price given), a 1933 Brough Superior banking sidecar (the only one ever made) estimated to bring 10,000 - 12,000 pounds sterling, a 1928 SS100 estimated to bring 140,000- 160,000 pounds sterling and a 1922 SS80 Brough racer known as "Old Bill" estimated to bring 250,000 - 270,000 pounds sterling. Interestingly, the 1928 SS100 is licensed for the road and has its MOT safety certificate valid until August, 2013. I suspect that the "new" Brough Superiors out of Austria would be difficult to put on the road legally in my country, whereas the 1928 SS100 would pose no problem.
On Oct. 21st at the British Stafford motorcycle show Bonhams (http://www.bonhams.com) are auctioning several Broughs. A 1930 SS80 known as "Black Bess" by a former owner, who founded the Vintage Club in England, is estimated to reach 80,000- 120,000 pounds, a one owner from new 1925 SS80 is estimated to bring 55,000 - 75,000 pounds sterling, a dismantled (mostly there) 1930 Brough Superior 680 ohv is estimated to bring 20,000 - 30,000 pounds sterling, a 1938 Brough 11-50 Special with full "sprung wheel" suspension is estimated to bring 18,000 - 25,000 pounds sterling, and if you are on a budget they are also auctioning a W.E. Brough opposed twin engine (George Brough's father made the W.E. Brough motorcycles) estimated to bring 1,500 - 2,500 pounds sterling.
I am of the considered opinion that amongst those Brough Superiors being auctioned in the next couple of weeks there are some bargains to be had. Have a look at the on-line catalog descriptions. I think there is no advantage - and perhaps significant disadvantage - to consider buying a modern motorcycle if you "want a Brough Superior" as so many dreamers claim.

Allan Johnson

I will take a Dozen. Have my agent sent .Thankyou . :wink:



A/C Shaw .



And Watch Out for Push Bikes . :cry:
==================================

George Brough .





SS 100.

' Superior ' Club . :lol:

http://www.broughsuperiorclub.com/pages ... y_menu.htm

A olde Geezer ( all of Fifty :shock: ) used to take His Chrome tank sucker for a spin through the bays , the odd Sunday . In the Sixties .Glared at The TANK MOUNTED Speedo .
Poor chap was interogated by Mother . As was a Allard driver. Years later .Think she said she sat in that at his insistance .

:mrgreen: NOW , they did thigs PROPERLY , in Those Days .

http://www.go-faster.com/SS100.html



You could buy ' Old Buggattis ' for ten pounds once , too . :?

It wouldn't be difficult to build a replica. There are guys building the motors here in Australia.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LkG270ykF9M

But you couldnt do this .



We will have to ban wars , untill the war department reinstates Brooklands , in the Condition that they Found It . :mrgreen:

I think Brooklands would scare most of us these days, with our improved technology machinery. Even 880 JAPs go faster than they did back then. THe main thing is that we wouldn't be using rigid frames. One of our local guys builds Anzani and four valve indian motors. The original motor was a replica of the Claude Temple Anzani, the indian crankcases a re the same casting with the name added. The trouble if that in the thirties there were no decent sprung frames for the bikes. The four valve indian replica looks faster than a good Vincent, but you would not want to be on it, even on a smooth circuit. One of the Anzani engines has been slotted into a featherbed frame. Historically it is bullshit, but it goes OK. You wouldn't waste your time building it. The wa y he makes the cylinder heads is interesting. He doesn't use a core box for the ports, but carves them out of the solid by hand.