LOT 711
Offered from the National Motorcycle Museum Collection 1937 Brough Superior 1,096cc 11-50 & Petrol-tube Sidecar Registration no. not registered Frame no. M8/1862 Engine no. LTZ/F 55040/SN (see text) Sidecar chassis no. 152
Sold for £78,200 inc. premium
Lot 711
Offered from the National Motorcycle Museum Collection, 1937 Brough Superior 1,096cc 11-50 & Petrol-tube SidecarRegistration no. not registered Frame no. M8/1862 Engine no. LTZ/F 55040/SN (see text) Sidecar chassis no. 152
Offered from the National Motorcycle Museum Collection
1937 Brough Superior 1,096cc 11-50 & Petrol-tube Sidecar
Registration no. not registered
Frame no. M8/1862
Engine no. LTZ/F 55040/SN (see text) Sidecar chassis no. 152
1937 Brough Superior 1,096cc 11-50 & Petrol-tube Sidecar
Registration no. not registered
Frame no. M8/1862
Engine no. LTZ/F 55040/SN (see text) Sidecar chassis no. 152
• The largest Brough Superior production model
• Originally ordered by Sheffield City Police
• Engine changed during the 1969s/1970s
Legendary superbike of motorcycling's between-the-wars 'Golden Age', the Brough Superior was synonymous with high performance, engineering excellence and quality of finish. That such a formidable reputation was forged by a motorcycle constructed almost entirely from bought-in components says much for the publicity skills of George Brough. But if ever a machine was more than the sum of its parts, it was the Brough Superior. Always the perfectionist, Brough bought only the best available components for his motorcycles, reasoning that if the product was right, a lofty price tag would be no handicap. And in the 'Roaring Twenties' there were sufficient wealthy connoisseurs around to prove him right, T E Lawrence ('Lawrence of Arabia') being the most famous example.
The speed with which the name 'Brough Superior' established itself as synonymous with excellence may be gauged from the fact that the famous 'Rolls-Royce of Motorcycles' sobriquet was first coined in 1921 when the marque was barely two years old. The story goes that Rolls-Royce objected to their name being associated with a mere motorcycle - until they examined one of George's creations.
Launched in 1933, the 1,096cc 11-50 was the largest Brough Superior to enter series production. Powered by a sidevalve v-twin (of unusual 60-degree configuration) supplied exclusively to the Nottingham factory by J A Prestwich, the 11-50 fitted into the Brough price range between the SS80 touring and SS100 super-sports models. The 11-50 was conceived as a long-legged, effortless tourer and could exceed 90mph in solo form or pull a heavy sidecar at up to 75mph; indeed, in the latter role it was one of the finest sidecar mounts of its day. Production lasted until 1939, by which time the 11-50 was the only JAP-powered machine in the Brough Superior range.
This Brough Superior's frame ('M8/1862') left the factory in September 1937 in an 11-50 attached to an AGS sidecar (number '125') having been ordered by Sheffield City Police. The original engine was 'LTZ/F 57528/SN' and machine was registered as 'DWJ 808'. The engine currently fitted, 'LTZ/F 55040/SN', started life in another 11-50 combination dating from 1937, 'M8/1799', which was despatched to Bucklow Garage and registered 'DTU 70' (Cheshire). The engine substitution is believed to have been made at some time in the 1960s/1970s when both of these Brough outfits were owned by the late Felix Burke of Cheltenham (see correspondence on file). 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.
• Originally ordered by Sheffield City Police
• Engine changed during the 1969s/1970s
Legendary superbike of motorcycling's between-the-wars 'Golden Age', the Brough Superior was synonymous with high performance, engineering excellence and quality of finish. That such a formidable reputation was forged by a motorcycle constructed almost entirely from bought-in components says much for the publicity skills of George Brough. But if ever a machine was more than the sum of its parts, it was the Brough Superior. Always the perfectionist, Brough bought only the best available components for his motorcycles, reasoning that if the product was right, a lofty price tag would be no handicap. And in the 'Roaring Twenties' there were sufficient wealthy connoisseurs around to prove him right, T E Lawrence ('Lawrence of Arabia') being the most famous example.
The speed with which the name 'Brough Superior' established itself as synonymous with excellence may be gauged from the fact that the famous 'Rolls-Royce of Motorcycles' sobriquet was first coined in 1921 when the marque was barely two years old. The story goes that Rolls-Royce objected to their name being associated with a mere motorcycle - until they examined one of George's creations.
Launched in 1933, the 1,096cc 11-50 was the largest Brough Superior to enter series production. Powered by a sidevalve v-twin (of unusual 60-degree configuration) supplied exclusively to the Nottingham factory by J A Prestwich, the 11-50 fitted into the Brough price range between the SS80 touring and SS100 super-sports models. The 11-50 was conceived as a long-legged, effortless tourer and could exceed 90mph in solo form or pull a heavy sidecar at up to 75mph; indeed, in the latter role it was one of the finest sidecar mounts of its day. Production lasted until 1939, by which time the 11-50 was the only JAP-powered machine in the Brough Superior range.
This Brough Superior's frame ('M8/1862') left the factory in September 1937 in an 11-50 attached to an AGS sidecar (number '125') having been ordered by Sheffield City Police. The original engine was 'LTZ/F 57528/SN' and machine was registered as 'DWJ 808'. The engine currently fitted, 'LTZ/F 55040/SN', started life in another 11-50 combination dating from 1937, 'M8/1799', which was despatched to Bucklow Garage and registered 'DTU 70' (Cheshire). The engine substitution is believed to have been made at some time in the 1960s/1970s when both of these Brough outfits were owned by the late Felix Burke of Cheltenham (see correspondence on file). 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.
Saleroom notices
The present sidecar chassis is stamped 225. The sidecar originally fitted was stamped 152. Please click the link to view the walkaround video of Lot 711: click here
Additional information
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