LOT 549

Property of a deceased's estate c.1937 Brough Superior 'Petrol-tube' Chassis and Cruiser Sidecar

Sold for £9,200 inc. premium

Lot 549

Property of a deceased's estate, c.1937 Brough Superior 'Petrol-tube' Chassis and Cruiser Sidecar

The Winter Sale - including The National Motorcycle Museum Reserve Collection - Bicester Heritage|12 December 2020, 10:00 GMT|Bicester, Bicester Heritage

Property of a deceased's estate
c.1937 Brough Superior 'Petrol-tube' Chassis and Cruiser Sidecar

"While George Brough may have designed his machines for the sporting solo rider, he recognised from the outset that they would have equal appeal to the confirmed sidecar man. ... it was not long before he was offering a sporting combination as part of the Brough Superior range." – Peter Miller, Brough Superior The Complete Story.
Arguably the best known of Brough's sidecars is the Alpine Grand Sports, commonly known as the 'petrol-tube'. Launched at the 1936 Motorcycle Show at Olympia, it featured a chassis main member consisting of an endless 2"-diameter tube that carried a sprung body in a choice of two styles: Sports and Cruiser. The main tube also functioned as an auxiliary fuel tank of 1½ gallons, which, when pressurised using a tyre pump, could transfer its contents to the motorcycle's tank. An ideal companion for the Brough Superior 11-50 in this sale, this example is offered with a file of documents.

Footnotes

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.

Additional information

This auction is now finished. If you are interested in consigning in future auctions, please contact the specialist department. If you have queries about lots purchased in this auction, please contact customer services.
Buyers Premium and Charges
Memorabilia and Spares
For Memorabilia and Spares (Lots 1-123) the Buyer's Premium is 27.5% on the first £10,000 of the hammer price 25% on the excess of £10,001 and up to £450,000 of the hammer price 20% on the excess of £450,001 and up to £4,500,000 of the hammer price 14.5% on the excess of £4,500,001.
Motorcycles
For Motorcycles (Lots 201-254 & 501-708) the Buyer's Premium will be 15% on the first £500,000 of the Hammer Price of each Lot, and 12% on the balance thereafter, VAT at the standard rate is payable on the Premium by all Buyers, unless otherwise stated.
Buyers' Obligations
ALL BIDDERS MUST AGREE THAT THEY HAVE READ AND UNDERSTOOD BONHAMS' CONDITIONS OF SALE AND AGREE TO BE BOUND BY THEM, AND AGREE TO PAY THE BUYER'S PREMIUM AND ANY OTHER CHARGES MENTIONED IN THE NOTICE TO BIDDERS. THIS AFFECTS THE BIDDERS LEGAL RIGHTS.
If you have any questions about the Conditions of Sale, please contact your nearest client services team.
From 28 June 2025, the import into the EU of non-EU property of a certain age (and in some categories above a certain value) is subject to additional requirements. Under the relevant EU Regulation, it is the Buyer's sole responsibility to assess whether any Lot meets the criteria for import into the EU. The refusal of any required Import License or Importer Statement, or any delay in obtaining such License or Statement shall not give rise to the rescission or cancelation of any Sale, nor allow any delay in making full payment for the Lot.
Payment Notices
For payment information please refer to the sale catalog.
Shipping Notices
For information and estimates on domestic and international shipping as well as export licences please contact Bonhams Shipping Department.
- Motorcycles