Motoring-Malaysia: Motorcycles - Bonhams to Auction off Some Rare V-Twin Motorcycles at the International Classic Motorcycle Show, 27-28 April 2019 in Stafford, England

Wednesday, March 20, 2019

Motorcycles - Bonhams to Auction off Some Rare V-Twin Motorcycles at the International Classic Motorcycle Show, 27-28 April 2019 in Stafford, England

1924 Brough Superior 980cc SS80

Bonhams, one of the world's largest and most renowned auctioneers who are renowned for offering fine art and antiques, motor cars and jewellery to the highest bidder has an interesting motorcycle themed auction coming this April 2019 over in Stafford, England. The auction, called the Bonhams annual Spring Stafford Sale is a two-day affair and it will be held at the International Classic MotorCycle Show in Stafford on 27 and 28 April 2019. The auction will offer a variety of machinery, hard-to-find spares and important memorabilia with more than 600 lots up for bid. Of course, if you over in Stafford at that point of time, there is this notable auction as well as the classic motorcycle show to go visit! Notable brands include Brough Superior, MV Augusta, Coventry Eagle and more.

Notable motorcycles which will be auctioned off are those from Brough Superior (1919-1940), Coventry-Eagle, MV Augusta and a few more. The unique thing about this round of auctions is that the motorcycles featured, especially in the press release and therefore, herein, are V-Twins, or two cylinder vee engined motorcycles. So it is actually the reason Motoring Malaysia is featuring this bit of news. We do like our unique stuff over here.

The motorcycle right on top is the 1924 Brough Superior 980cc SS80 . This motorcycle is estimated to fetch between £90,000-130,000. The motorcycle was delivered new to Germany, and retains matching numbers, in terms of its chassis and engine numbers. Quite remarkable as its almost a hundred years old. An early example fitted with JAP’s ( J. A. Prestwich Industries of Tottenham) four-cam 980cc engine. It could do 130kmh or 80mph, hence the SS80 moniker. This motorcycle was registered in the UK after just a year in Germany and had received upgrades such as an SS100 gearbox.

1934 ISDT; ex-'Dad's Army' and 'George & Mildred',1933 Brough Superior 1,096cc 11-50hp Combination

Another important Brough Superior to be offered is the 1933 Brough Superior 1,096cc 11-50hp and Cruiser Sidecar registered as ‘ATO 574’. This is estimated to go for between £60,000-80,000. This motorcycle starred in both Dad’s Army and George and Mildred - both British Comedies for TV. According to its history, ‘ATO 574’ started life as a works entry for the ISDT (International Six Days Trial) in 1934 where it won a gold medal. It is one of only 308 built and has been in present family ownership for more than 50 years. It is offered for re-commissioning (it would need work done to it) and boasts a delightful patina that only adds to this TV icon’s appeal.

1926 Brough Superior 986cc SS100 Alpine Grand Sports

Next is what could be the ultimate Vintage-era Brough Superior is the 1926 Brough Superior 986cc SS100 Alpine Grand Sports. The SS100 was the superbike of its day and maybe to this day. The SS100 held many records, with wins in over 50 events in the early 1920s, and Bert le Vack, who worked with Brough on development, was the holder of seven world records.

George Brough and Freddie Dixon both achieved a record 130 mph (210 km/h) for the kilometer on the SS100 in 1927 and a year later, Brough broke his own record with 130.6 mph (210.2 km/h). In 1932 Ronald Storey achieved 81,08 mph for the standing half-mile at Brighton and in 1939 Noel Pope secured an all time Brooklands track record lap time of 124.51 mph (200.38 km/h) on an SS100. By the time this record was made, the SS100 had at least 75hp from its engine (up from an original 50hp). The one on auction is an Alpine Grand Sport variant so it is most likely fitted with a JAP engine which made about 75hp. Still a nice amount of horses today. Note how old the motorcycle is!

On 27 April 2008, at the Stafford Motorcycle show auction, also organised by Bonhams, sold a 1934 Brough Superior SS100 for £166,500. This was alao a world record and the highest price ever paid for a British motorcycle at auction. A new World Record for any motorcycle sold at auction was set on 22 October 2010, when a 1929 Brough Superior SS100 was sold at the Haynes International Motor Museum. The bike achieved £286,000. This time around, this one seems to be conservatively priced. This is estimated to sell from between £140,000-180,000.

The motorcycle featured has had several long-term owners, including a family who used it for holidays over 30 years, covering an impressive 100,000 miles up and down Britain. In 1986, it was acquired by its current owner and restored with the help of several recognised specialists across Europe. A true ‘riders-machine’, it features several modifications to improve reliability and practicality, including an anti-theft switch and an electrical generator (concealed behind gearbox). It is stated that this is a remarkable and incredibly well-documented example of one of the most legendary Brough Superiors.

Other V-twin featured on sale include the motorcycles that are shown below as well as the 1922 Chater Lea 885cc 8hp Combination (£12,000-16,000) and the ex-Kaye Done, 1914 Zenith-JAP ‘Gradua’ Twin (£16,000-20,000) - You can find out details of them at the lot preview list here.

Bomhams have their main salerooms in London, New York, Los Angeles and Hong Kong, with auctions also held in Knightsbridge, Edinburgh, Paris, San Francisco and Sydney. With a worldwide network of offices and regional representatives in 22 countries, Bonhams offers advice and valuation services in 60 specialist areas.

This is quite interesting indeed. You readers know we don't usually feature stuff like this! - Motoring Malaysia 2019