They were believed to have been destroyed, but earlier this year, eight long-lost Brough Superior Motorcycles were discovered in a Cornish village (Cornwall is the most southwesterly part of the United Kingdom.) Unveiled for the first time in more than 50 years, ‘The ‘Broughs of Bodmin Moor’ will be offered at by Bonhams in Stafford, UK on 24 April 2016. The 8 Brough Superior were stored in barns for more than 50 years. They were discovered whole, in parts, and some were partially submerged under decades of dust, old machinery parts and household clutter.
“This is one of the greatest motorcycle discoveries of recent times,” said Ben Walker, International Director for Bonhams “Collector Motorcycle Department. “A lot of mystery surrounds these motorcycles, as very few people knew that they still existed, many believing them to be an urban myth. There was a theory that they still existed somewhere in the West Country, but few knew where, until now. This is the last known collection of unrestored Brough Superiors; there will not be another opportunity like this. Only eight four-cylinder machines were built, and the example in this collection is the final one to be re-discovered.”
The late-vendor, Mr. Frank Vague, was an avid member of the Brough Superior Club. He acquired the majority of the collection in the early 1960. They’ve since remained unused for some 50 years.Brough Superior motorcycles are incredibly rare, powerful machines of the pre-war era. Dubbed the Rolls-Royce of motorcycles, they’re famed as the bike of choice for aficionados such as the playwright George Bernard Shaw, and T.E. Lawrence, aka Lawrence of Arabia, owner of eight models.
Below the list and value estimates. For further information on Bonhams motorcycle department visit Bonhams Motorcycles.
The motorcycles which form ‘The Broughs of Bodmin Moor’ Collection are:
• The ex-Hubert Chantrey, 1938 Brough Superior 750cc BS4 – £80,000-120,000
• 1938 Brough Superior 982cc SS100 Project – £60,000-80,000
• 1926 Brough Superior SS100 – £30,000-40,000
• 1938 Brough Superior 982cc SS80 Project with Petrol Tube Sidecar – £22,000-32,000
• 1939 Brough Superior 982cc SS80 Project – £20,000-30,000
• 1938 Brough Superior 1,096cc 11-50HP Project – £16,000-22,000
• 1937 Brough Superior 982cc SS80 Project – £6,000-8,000
• 1936 Brough Superior 982cc SS80 Project – £6,000-8,000
How come the swingarm looks like it’s on neither side??? lol
oh! 2 rear wheels eh?
Yes, it has 2 rear wheels.
Which one of the 8 is pictured?
To “Steal Your Face”. The ex-Hubert Chantrey, 1938 Brough Superior 750cc BS4.
What a find and the prices may be low.
So bittersweet-on one hand it’s great to see these bikes exist and on the other it’s a crime to see how they were allowed to deteriorate. All of us with rare, classic items, are but temporary custodians of them.
Yes, 2 wheels on the back. Nice one on show at the National Motorcycle Museum in Birmingham..
We are still looking for ‘Florence of Arabia’, last seen at a classic bike show in the late 80s, a very high mileage well used Brough.
The other myth in the West County is that after DDay the Americans dug a big hole and left behind loads of Jeeps and Harley 45s as they weren’t required any more – we’re still looking!
Last barn find for me was a working 45 with no mudguards, lights etc but running…. for £600 (more than a few years back). It was put back on the road with a whole load of new parts from Fred Warr in London and Ian Cottrell in Weymouth.. And we didn’t call them bobbers either…
Sportster Mike, you got it wrong. They buried the Jeeps and 45s in the Northern Territory of Australia, everyone down here knows that. And I know a bloke who knows a bloke whose brother has a neighbour that has a cousin who knows where there is a map left over from WWII. So the trail is getting hot . . .
With todays technology, social media, Television shows , communications at light speed, and many people with “deep : pockets , indeed a find like this is monumental …and as mentioned “bittersweet ” I tend to agree with Woody, we are but mere custodians for a window of time with certain classic pieces …but it is all relative ..50 years ago ..who would have thought that these bikes would command such a value….
So, I’ve never heard of the two rear wheeled Brough BS4.
When riding it, do you lean at all? Or do you ride more like a trike?
Enquiring minds want to know?
Certainly an interesting “window into the past.”….. But;
The only question is who would want to “invest(?)” in ownership/stewardship(?), for what reasons. and how much would they be willing to risk on such a venture….???
Having the disposable income is one thing, being able to rationalize it is quite another.
-nicker-
This is just outstanding !!!
I only wish I had the “wherewithall”
to bid on one of those beauties & bring it back to life.
Then I’d give it to “Wheels thru Time” or some other worthy place
Where everyone could see it & appreciate it & not hoard it only for me !!!
@nicker, I’m sure the reasons are many, and they all make sense to their owners. Look at the pleasure Jay Leno gets from his machines-he doesn’t use the food money on ’em and he doesn’t need to rationalize it to anyone. I’m sure for most of us it’s a matter of wanting toys. Neat toys. Awesome toys, maybe the toys we saw others playing with when we were younger. Personally, I’ve cut up enough old SOHC CB750’s to have them pee oil when they see me coming their way, but if I stumbled across an original sand cast ’69 I’d snap it up if it were in danger of being chopped by an infidel. I’m at a stage in my life where I’ve begun to sell off toys that I don’t seem to ride/drive anymore, but I’d find someone to resell it to. I think sometimes folks want a vehicle badly and want to do the right thing, but refuse to spend the funds (or fing they don’t have them) but they refuse to let their precious go to someone who can take care of them. I can’t understand hoarders, but I accept they exist. My baby is a 1964 Avanti. Over the years I’ve probably put in 3x what it’s worth, but it’s still original and it will never go downhill in condition under my stewardship unless someone hits it.
It has an Austin engine which is not a great thing to start with. Guess it is like the one in the Austin 7 ?.
An ugly Brough………like a contradiction in terms.
Still every family has one ugly critter
Woody,
Jay Leno is a good example…. He buys what he likes and seems to enjoy owning it. And given his ability to procure what he wants without regard to appreciation… -Yes- he buys what he wants (and i think) without “expectation.”
Moreover, whether people use “food money” or not to finance what they want is irrelevant to me. I’m not a moralist, i don’t care how you spend your money (as long as you don’t expect me to subsidies you through public tax money.
I’m simply saying that to rationalize any purchase on the basis of “Stewardship” is a bit of a stretch. Specifically since subsequent owners are by no stretch of the imagination required to carry on in that mode.. ….. Case in point, look at all the nice Model Ts and such that have been turned into hot rods…. (especially in CA where a simple pink slip and matching frame is worth thousands because of the registration laws).
Look, i’m not unsympathetic to the guys who want to “preserve” stuff…. Hell, i shake my head when i think of all the stock Triumph, BSA, or Benellin sheet-metal that i threw away as a kid. It would be nice to have it now …. But i don’t consider such stuff as irreplaceable relics to be coveted and i would never pay some of the prices that are asked for these thing today (even though i’m in a position to easily pay for it). I simply can’t rationalize such purchases knowing that the “reverence” for it is simply a passing fancy.
Having said that le-me confess, i have and will continue to refused to sell stuff simply on the basis that the people clambering to buy are typically in a “me too” acquisition mode, unfamiliar with, incapable of, and uninterested in maintaining such machinery. But i’m not operating under the delusion that my treasures are guaranteed to appreciate or will even be preserved past my ownership. I simply love and enjoy what i have…….. What happens to it when i’m gone is irrelevant, certainly to me….. 🙂
As i see it, yammering about old stuff on the basis that its old and perhaps unusual is just so much hype to kick up interest and potential auction price. .
As always -IMHO-
-nicker-
@nicker, understood, & I do not disagree. I probably worded it badly, much of what I was trying to say was regarding the care given to that which we own then why we bought it.
Why is the picture used to show two bikes, the same bike, heavily photoshopped (and not very well). Let’s play “spot the difference” game. I’ll start….
One bike has 40 rear spokes, the other has about 200
LOL
Eric. What do you smoke?
Woody,
-Ya-
That’s about the way i figured it.
We’re cool.
-nicker-