Holy Grail of Motorbike Collecting - Choice of Four Brough Superiors From 1920s & 1930s at H&H Classics Sale, National Motorcycle Museum November 14

1925 Brough Superior SS100 - £180,000 -£230,000(Photo courtesy of Gun Hill Studios)

For motorcycle enthusiasts the Brough Superior is the ‘Holy Grail’ of collecting. No less than four of this superior breed will be sold by H&H Classics at their next Motorcycle Sale at the National Motorcycle Museum on November 14.

Mark Bryan Head of Bike sales at H&H Classics, says: “This motorcycle marque will be forever associated with T.E. Lawrence, known as ‘Lawrence of Arabia’ who bought one of the first Brough SS100s in 1925 having previously owned three Brough SS80s. The crash that would end his life came while riding another SS100, on a narrow road near his cottage in 1935.”

In 2018 H&H Classics sold the legendary motorcycle, owned and ridden by FP ‘Gentleman’ Dickson, a famous rider in the 1920’s with successes in most UK rallies and races, for £425,500, a new world record for a Brough Superior. It had been conservatively estimated to sell for £160,000 to £200,000. This matching numbers bike was complete and beat the previous record by £100,000.

On November 14 H&H Classics will sell the 1925 Brough Superior SS100, pictured above, for an estimate of £180,000 to £230,000. It has an extensive history file with numerous letters, photos, receipts, related paperwork and detailed explanation on its provenance. It has the very sought after pre "Alpine Grand Sport" frame and is one of only possibly 20 known surviving examples and moreover was restored by Tony Cripps.

It features all the correct components including a "mouse trap" carburettor and is fitted with 1925 ex Brough Superior KTOR JAP OHV engine. In 2011 it was the "Baragwanath Cup" winner for best SS100 JAP at Brough Superior Club Annual Rally.

1936 Brough Superior SS80 - £50,000 to £60,000

This machine, well known to the Brough Owners Club, was originally supplied in 1936 to Layton Garages in Oxford with its Bentley & Draper sprung frame model.

Its engine was replaced in the 1970's with a JAP SV 1323cc unit. It has had the same owner since 1974.

Older restoration was carried out by current owner.

It comes with an RF60 buff log book and a copy of the original factory build sheet, plus a history file with some old MOT's, old style V5, Brough Club letter and associated paperwork.

It has all its original components including petrol tank and is UK registered on a current V5C. It is in running order.

1926/32 Brough Superior 5/15 £40,000 to £50,000

The third Brough Superior on offer on November 14 is this Superior 5/15 based around a JAP 680cc side valve V-Twin engine that was originally fitted to a 1926 Brough Superior.

The reproduction 5/15 frame was hand built by Brough Superior Owners’ Club Technical Advisor and marque restorer Dave Clark using the factory frame from his ‘Junior’ as a reference.

It is issued with a period 1932 identity for a 680 Brough Superior. It features Brampton forks, four-stud Sturmey Archer gearbox and hand-made KT Fabrications "Pendine" style petrol tank and is fitted with a restored Bonniksen speedometer, a recent engine, gearbox and magneto overhauls.

Its brightwork recently re-nickel plated and paintwork is described as being in ‘excellent condition and is said to be in ‘good running order’. The bike can be verified via the Brough Superior Owners’ Club and is on their register.

1936 Brough Superior SS80 £70,000 to £75,000

And finally the fourth bike 1936 SS80, estimated to sell for £70,000 to £75,000. This is an all matching numbers bike, an earlier restoration from a private collection.