Property of a deceased's estate, 1935 Brough Superior 1,096cc 11-50hp

Registration no. ATV 833 Frame no. PS1475 Engine no. LTZ/R 44954/S

• Present family ownership for 52 years
• Matching registration, frame and engine
• Stored for some time
• Requires re-commissioning

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.

Despatched new to one A H Rodgers, this 11-50 is very much the 'De Luxe' model in so far as it has the spring frame, Castle forks, and twin carburettors, all of which were 'extras'. 'ATV 833' has been in the late owner's family's possession for the last 52 years and when acquired still had its factory-fitted (in 1938) AGS Cruiser sidecar attached.

Kept in dry storage for some time, the Brough will require re-commissioning before returning to the road and thus is sold strictly as viewed. The machine is offered with a copy of its Works Record Card, an old-style continuation logbook, assorted correspondence, and old/current V5C documents.
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