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Brough Superior motorcycle breaks sale record at £315k | |
(about 11 hours later) | |
A motorcycle like those ridden by Lawrence of Arabia has set a new world record after selling for £315,100. | |
The 1929 Brough Superior 986cc SS100 Alpine Grand Sports is the most expensive Brough Superior to sell at public auction. | |
It has beaten the record set by a Brough Superior SS80, which sold for £291,200 in 2012. | |
Brough Superior motorcycles were built in Nottingham, at founder George Brough's factory in Haydn Road. | |
Paul d'Orléans, from vintage motorcycle site The Vintagent, said: "George Brough was a genius of motorcycle design, and the SS100 is his masterpiece. | |
"It's no surprise his machines fetch such prices." | |
He said Brough Superior SS100s were "the original superbike". | |
"Each was sold with a certificate guaranteeing it had been timed at over 100mph at the Brooklands racetrack," he said. | |
"No other motorcycle was sold with such a claim, and this was a remarkable speed for a road bike in the 1920s." | |
He said the second most expensive Brough Superior, the SS80, was "a very special machine" as it was George Brough's personal race bike, nicknamed Old Bill. | |
Ben Walker, director for Bonhams motorcycle department, said: "Brough Superior is a legendary marque in the motorcycle world. | Ben Walker, director for Bonhams motorcycle department, said: "Brough Superior is a legendary marque in the motorcycle world. |
"Coined the Rolls-Royce of motorcycles, their distinguished status is well-earned." | |
George Brough undertook the Alpine Trial - a gruelling reliability run - on an SS100 in 1925, resulting in the award of six cups. | |
The design of the Alpine Grand Sports took inspiration from this achievement, and it was introduced to the market in 1925 for the 1926 season. | The design of the Alpine Grand Sports took inspiration from this achievement, and it was introduced to the market in 1925 for the 1926 season. |
World War One British army officer TE Lawrence, also known as Lawrence of Arabia, owned eight Brough Superior bikes. | World War One British army officer TE Lawrence, also known as Lawrence of Arabia, owned eight Brough Superior bikes. |
He was killed in 1935 riding an SS100 he had named George VII. | He was killed in 1935 riding an SS100 he had named George VII. |