LOT 710
Offered from the National Motorcycle Museum Collection c.1932 Brough Superior Overhead 680 to Overhead 500 Specification Registration no. not registered Frame no. 5/1195 Engine no. PTOC/H T3918/S (see text) Gearbox no. 7157 and 2632
Sold for £78,200 inc. premium
Lot 710
Offered from the National Motorcycle Museum Collection, c.1932 Brough Superior Overhead 680 to Overhead 500 SpecificationRegistration no. not registered Frame no. 5/1195 Engine no. PTOC/H T3918/S (see text) Gearbox no. 7157 and 2632
Offered from the National Motorcycle Museum Collection
c.1932 Brough Superior Overhead 680 to Overhead 500 Specification
Registration no. not registered
Frame no. 5/1195
Engine no. PTOC/H T3918/S (see text) Gearbox no. 7157 and 2632
c.1932 Brough Superior Overhead 680 to Overhead 500 Specification
Registration no. not registered
Frame no. 5/1195
Engine no. PTOC/H T3918/S (see text) Gearbox no. 7157 and 2632
• In its current configuration since the 1950s
• Rebuilt to running order by the early 1960s
• Acquired by the NMM in 2006
George Brough premiered two new sports models at the Motor Cycle Show in November 1930: the Overhead 680 and Overhead 500, the latter powered by a JAP racing engine that had first appeared at that year's Isle of Man TT races. The 500cc JAP was effectively two of the firm's racing 250 singles on a beefed-up crankcase, the cylinder heads and barrels being held down by long through-bolts as on the contemporary SS100. Cotton, Excelsior and OK-Supreme had used these engines at the TT, but having showed promise in practice, all failed during the race, sidelined by incorrectly hardened cam followers. No doubt wishing to put this embarrassing incident behind them, JAP abandoned the project and sold the remaining engines to George Brough. The new Overhead models used identical cycle parts and were available with rigid frames only, the 680 being priced at £99 15s and the 500 at £105. Only nine Overhead 500s were built, making it one of the rarest of catalogued Brough Superior motorcycles.
Describing the Overhead 500, the Brough catalogue had this to say: "Specification exactly as 'Overhead 680' with the exception of the Engine which is a specially produced 500cc Racing JAP Twin modified for high road speed and long-distance touring requirements... Capable of 85mph, this machine is convertible to a 'pukka' racing machine quite easily by the Owner."
Frame number '5/1195' left the Brough works on 4th November 1932 as part of a standard Overhead 680 model supplied to Godfrey's in London. The original registration number is not known, and the original engine has been lost, but the original gearbox is still present. By the 1950s '5/1195' had been fitted with the current 500cc overhead-valve JAP engine 'PTOC/H T3918/S'.
Rebuilt to running order by the early 1960s, the Brough was sold to the NMM in 2006 by the late Brian Verrall. The machine's mechanical condition is not known; accordingly, prospective purchasers must satisfy themselves with regard to its condition, completeness, correctness, or otherwise prior to bidding. Offered with a history file.
• Rebuilt to running order by the early 1960s
• Acquired by the NMM in 2006
George Brough premiered two new sports models at the Motor Cycle Show in November 1930: the Overhead 680 and Overhead 500, the latter powered by a JAP racing engine that had first appeared at that year's Isle of Man TT races. The 500cc JAP was effectively two of the firm's racing 250 singles on a beefed-up crankcase, the cylinder heads and barrels being held down by long through-bolts as on the contemporary SS100. Cotton, Excelsior and OK-Supreme had used these engines at the TT, but having showed promise in practice, all failed during the race, sidelined by incorrectly hardened cam followers. No doubt wishing to put this embarrassing incident behind them, JAP abandoned the project and sold the remaining engines to George Brough. The new Overhead models used identical cycle parts and were available with rigid frames only, the 680 being priced at £99 15s and the 500 at £105. Only nine Overhead 500s were built, making it one of the rarest of catalogued Brough Superior motorcycles.
Describing the Overhead 500, the Brough catalogue had this to say: "Specification exactly as 'Overhead 680' with the exception of the Engine which is a specially produced 500cc Racing JAP Twin modified for high road speed and long-distance touring requirements... Capable of 85mph, this machine is convertible to a 'pukka' racing machine quite easily by the Owner."
Frame number '5/1195' left the Brough works on 4th November 1932 as part of a standard Overhead 680 model supplied to Godfrey's in London. The original registration number is not known, and the original engine has been lost, but the original gearbox is still present. By the 1950s '5/1195' had been fitted with the current 500cc overhead-valve JAP engine 'PTOC/H T3918/S'.
Rebuilt to running order by the early 1960s, the Brough was sold to the NMM in 2006 by the late Brian Verrall. The machine's mechanical condition is not known; accordingly, prospective purchasers must satisfy themselves with regard to its condition, completeness, correctness, or otherwise prior to bidding. Offered with a history file.
Saleroom notices
The engine number is PTOC/H 13918/S, not as printed in the catalogue. Please click the link to view the walkaround video of Lot 710: click here
Additional information
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