Golden Years

mantiques

We love a Brough! The Superior featured in our launch issue back in 2011 – so how could we resist covering this unique sale from Bonhams?

Now these really are Mantiques!

UBBED THE ROLLS-ROYCE of motorcycles, the Brough Superior is an incredibly rare, powerful machine of the pre-war era. On 24th April, eight long-lost examples, the ‘Broughs of Bodmin Moor’, which have been lost to view for 50 years, will be offered at Bonhams’ sale of Important Collectors’ Motorcycles at Stafford. And looking at the estimates, we can’t wait to hear the results!

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Even back in the day – the 1920s and 30s – only the wealthy were able to afford the Brough Superior, with prices ranging from £130 to £180. It was the bike of choice for aficionados such as playwright George Bernard Shaw and, most famously, T. E. Lawrence, better known as Lawrence of Arabia. Lawrence was besotted with the Brough, owned eight in his lifetime, and died on one in a mysterious road accident in 1935. His last machine can sometimes be seen on display at Beaulieu Motor Museum or the Imperial War Museum, and the owner is said to have refused an offer from a Middle Eastern buyer of three-quarters of a million pounds for it!

THE BROUGHS OF BODMIN MOOR And what of the Broughs of Bodmin Moor? They are, says Ben Walker, International Director for Bonhams Collectors’ Motorcycle Department, “One of the greatest motorcycle discoveries of recent times, a lot of mystery surrounds them. Mr Frank Vague, the late vendor, was an avid member of the Brough Superior Club. He acquired the majority of the collection in the early 1960s; they’ve since remained unused for some 50 years. Very few people knew that they still existed, many www.vintagexplorer.co.uk

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1938 Brough Superior 800cc BS4, Esimate: £80,000-120,000

believing them to be an urban myth. There was a theory that they still existed somewhere in the West Country, but few knew where, until now.”

“Stored in barns for more than 50 years, the motorcycles were discovered whole or in parts, and some were partially submerged under decades of dust, old machinery parts and household clutter.”

The collection includes a very rare four-cylinder machine, the final one to be discovered of just eight that were ever built. “This is the last known collection of unrestored Brough Superiors,” said Ben, “There will not be another opportunity like this.”

There is a strong market for unrestored, original motorcycles: “Bonhams regularly achieves world record-breaking figures for Brough Superior motorcycles,” explains Ben, “Including unusual ‘projects’, which appeal to the enthusiast and collector. It would be great to see these ones back on the road, as they are all restorable.”

Although the Stafford sale will also include other Vintage and collectors’ motorcycles, related memorabilia and spares, it’s the Broughs of Bodmin Moor that are the stars of the show for us. Judge for yourselves! ve www.vintagexplorer.co.uk

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THE EX-HUBERT CHANTREY COLLECTION, WITH ESTIMATES ● 1938 Brough Superior 800cc BS4, £80,000-120,000 ● 1938 Brough Superior 982cc SS100 Project, £60,000-80,000 ● 1926 Brough Superior SS100, £30,000-40,000 ● 1938 Brough Superior 982cc SS80 Project with Petrol Tube Sidecar, £22,000-32,000 ● 1939 Brough Superior 982cc SS80 Project, £20,000-30,000 ● 1938 Brough Superior 1,096cc 11-50HP Project, £16,000-22,000 ● 1937 Brough Superior 982cc SS80 Project, £6,000-8,000 ● 1936 Brough Superior 982cc SS80 Project, £6,000-8,000

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mantiques

1938 Brough Superior 982cc SS100 Project.

Estimate: £60,000-80,000

1938 Brough Superior 982cc SS80 Project with Petrol Tube Sidecar.

Estimate: £22,000-32,000

1939 Brough Superior 982cc SS80 Project.

Estimate: £20,000-30,000

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www.vintagexplorer.co.uk

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1938 Brough Superior 1,096cc 11-50HP Project.

Estimate: £16,000-22,000

1926 Brough SS100 Project.

Estimate: £30,000-40,000 (yes, you’ve read it correctly!)

You’ve probably noticed that we mentioned eight Brough Superiors earlier on in this article but have only shown you six. The other two, ahem, ‘projects’ are in pieces like the lot above, awaiting new enthusiastic owners! They are a 1936 and a 1937 Brough Superior 982cc SS80, both estimated at: £6,000-8,000. So, if you have the money (and inclination), you too could walk in the steps of – or should that be ride in the saddle of – the likes of Lawrence of Arabia! (Lawrence is seen here on a Brough Superior he called George V). www.bonhams.com www.vintagexplorer.co.uk

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