Brough Superior

[speedbird591]

Brough Superior SS100. It was the most sought-after motorcycle of the 20s and 30s, hand-built to order, guaranteed to top 100mph and cost the price of a small house. Famously, Lawrence of Arabia owned 7 (not at the same time), which he called George and was killed while riding George VII in 1936. A good specimen will set you back $250,000 at auction and George VII (which still lives with a collector in Dorset) is estimated to be worth £1m.

I was surprised the other day to see a picture of a brand new SS100! So I've been doing some research. Apparently the Brough Superior name and trade mark was auctioned a few years back and bought by an Austrian based Englishman named Mark Upham. Mark is now manufacturing custom-built SS100s with a higher quality than the original (due to superior metal and techniques). His attention to original detail is superb. A brand new one will cost you £150,000 which makes it a bargain compared to buying an old one at auction!

When I win the lottery, the Lawrence replica (of George V) will be my first purchase! http://www.brough-superior.com

Lawrence (as aircraftsman T.E. Shaw) at his cottage in Dorset in the 30s


An original SS100, auctioned last year


One of the new SS100s


IIRC, there's a Brough at Brooklands. I'm going up next week so I'll have another look. Dave'll know

Ian

[DaveB]

Thanks Ian. I look forward to winning the lottery even more now

Here's a list of motorcycles on display at Brooklands.. http://www.brooklandsmuseum.com/index.p ... ollection/

ATB
DaveB

[petermcleland]

My Father had a Brough Superior SS80, which he lovingly restored in about 1960...It had a side car and I drove it just once and it rather frightened me with it pulling to one side as you put power on and the other side as you took power off. Here is my model of Laurence's SS100:-

[Garry Russell]

Why would anyone want to buy something made now that's so old fashioned???

[petermcleland]

Here are a couple more details of that model:-

[speedbird591]

OMG!

Peter, that is gorgeous. I do seem to remember you posting a pic of it a long time ago amongst your car collection. I am very, very sorely tempted to acquire one and have just googled one that is for sale at a £40 discount (you probably didn't want to hear that ). I'm desperately trying to keep myself occupied today to take my mind off it. You posting detailed pictures does not help

I learnt to ride/drive on a sidecar outfit in the winter of 62/63 so I understand the difficulties of cornering. I carried a shovel strapped to the chair for digging myself out of snowdrifts

Garry. The attraction for me of a replica 'vintage' machine is that it appeals to my love of vintage engineering design and style but without the disadvantages of poor quality metals, rubber, electricals, fuel and subsequent poor reliability. It's the machine that George Brough would have built had he had the materials.

Ian

[Effoh]

Ian,

If you have access to ITV4, The Motorcycle Show had their presenter riding one in Austria recently. A repeat will no doubt come along. I'm not a biker myself, but it looked absolutely stunning

[Garry Russell]

Hi Ian

I see where you're coming from, all the thrills with none of the spills...hopefully.

£150K seems a lot, but I suppose if every part is precision made and carefully fitted then it would be worth it...if you have £150K

Is it really a replica? as the current builder owns the design I would think it genuine new build.

If someone knocks up a Spitfire in their shed it's a replica, but if Airbus built you a new BAC One-Eleven it would be genuine as they hold the design right now, well it was them that pulled the certificate

So I would say this is a new generation build and the real McCoy

[speedbird591]

Is it really a replica? as the current builder owns the design I would think it genuine new build

Good call, Garry. I've just checked the website and they are indeed legally brand new Brough Superiors. Where I got replica from is the SS101K-L which is a replica of a particular bike of T.E. Lawrence (1925 SS100 reg RK4907). That's the one I'll get with the lottery money. Maybe one for Dave as well

Thanks for the info about the programme, Colin. I'll keep an eye out for a repeat.

Ian

[airboatr]

I'm desperately trying to keep myself occupied today to take my mind off it. You posting detailed pictures does not help Ian

Ian,

If you have access to ITV4, The Motorcycle Show had their presenter riding one in Austria recently. A repeat will no doubt come along. I'm not a biker myself, but it looked absolutely stunning

This is an excellent example of how the folk here at CBFS are always so willing to help some one in need.


Ian I bet you've completely forgotten about buying that spiffy model of the Brough Superior SS100. You know the Brough Superior SS100 that you know you want to buy but shoulnt.

I could hypnotize you to help you forget about it if you waaaant..

The Brough Superior SS100, Brough Superior SS100 Brough Superior SS100 .........your eyelids are getting very heavy now.

Brough Superior SS100 Brough Superior SS100 Brough Superior SS100.