A rare 'barn find' Brough Superior SS-80 motorcycle is to provide the main draw in Bonhams' Important Collectors' Motorcycles auction on Sunday (October 21).
The auction will be held at the Staffordshire County Showground, UK, during the 19th annual Classic Motorcycle Mechanics Show. The Brough Superior is one of two SS-80s being offered in the sale, estimated at £50,000-75,000 ($80,000-128,000).
 The number of SS-80s that remain with the same family since new is very low |
The 1925 981cc model has been owned by the same family since new, with Bonhams stating that "Brough Superiors still in the possession of the first owner's family - in all probability - can be counted on the fingers of one hand." It retains many of its original features and is in unrestored condition, making this a fantastic opportunity for discerning collectors with the motivation to complete the necessary restoration work.
The magnificent bike will be accompanied in the sale by its fascinating history file, which includes numerous examples of correspondence between the renowned company founder, George Brough, and its first owner, Leonard Foster.
 The most important bike in Titch Allen's long history of motorcycles |
Also featuring is the 1930 Brough Superior SS-80 De Luxe "Black Bess", which was formerly owned by the founder of the Vintage Motor Cycle Club (VMCC), CE "Titch" Allen. In a letter to the current owner, Allen describes the SS-80 as "in many ways the most important bike in my life."
The bike is in fantastic condition, having been restored by marque specialists in the 1990s. It is expected to bring £80,000-120,000 ($128,000-192,000).
On October 23, the Brough Superior SS-80 "Old Bill" that was produced especially for George Brough himself is expected to set a new auction record with an estimate of $250,000-275,000.
