Brough Superiors Are Stars Of Blockbuster Bonhams Motorcycles Sale

The Spring Sale

The International Classic MotorCycle Show

23 - 24 Apr 2022 Stafford,

Staffordshire County Showground 1936

Brough Superior 990cc SS100

Registration no. CTO 147 Frame no. M1/1627 Engine no. BS/X2 1002 (see text)

A brace of exciting Brough-Superior SS100 restoration projects achieved considerably above estimate, each realising more than £200,000 to lead the blockbuster Bonhams Spring Stafford Sale on 23-24 April, which attained a total of over £3 million and a sell-through rate of 95% (99% by value) over the weekend of The International Classic MotorCycle Show at Stafford.

The first, an iconic 1929 996CC SS100 ’Alpine Grand Sports’ Sprint Special, which had been campaigned by notable Brough-Superior riders Reg Barton and Dick Knight, doubled its pre-sale top estimate of £100,000, finally selling for £253,000, following a spirited bidding battle between determined online and saleroom bidders, earning applause from the packed Bonhams sale room.

The top lot of the sale had been fitted with an ex-Eric Fernihough Brooklands racing engine and was offered for sympathetic restoration to retain its ’warhorse’ character, with its original gearbox, tank and front number plate.

The second most valuable lot of the day was a 1936 Brough Superior 982CC SS100, one of the earliest Matchless-powered SS100s, which achieved £235,750, also earning an enthusiastic reception from the room.

The SS100 had been owned by its vendor for more than 50 years, during which time he achieved 90mph on one occasion at Pendine Sands. Retaining its original frame and engine, the Brough was offered as an exciting restoration opportunity.

Other motorcycles with a motorsport pedigree finding new owners at Stafford over the weekend included a 1951 Swiss Grand Prix-winning 1948 Velocette 348cc KTT MkVII Racing Motorcycle.

Ridden to victory by the first 500cc Grand Prix World Champion, Les Graham, the beautiful Velocette sold for £57,500, just pipping the £57,000 achieved by a 1977 MV Agusta 832cc Boxer motorcycle, originally loaned to World Champion motorcyclist Phil Read.

One of only two Boxers imported into Britain before the model’s name was changed back to ’Monza’, the ultra-rare machine, was loaned to the seven-time World Motorcycle Grand Prix Champion and former factory rider, when new. It was offered yesterday in excellent condition, having covered just over 11,500 miles from new, and having been museum stored in a temperature-controlled environment since 2009.

As ever, the Bonhams Spring Stafford Sale offered several high-quality collections of motorcycles and motorcycles spares, led by the Alan Windsor Collection. This selection of British and key Japanese models was built up by the well-known figure of classic motorcycle racing. The highlight of the collection was an incredible one-owner low-mileage 1988 Honda VFR75OR Type RC30, which doubled its pre-sale estimate to make £47,150.

Another highlight of Sunday’s sale was the auction world record set by a rare 1921 Wooler 348cc Model B, known as the ’Flying Banana’, which sold for £40,250, also doubling its pre-sale estimate.

The first day of the auction offered more than 300 lots of spares and memorabilia, including three considerable collections, and was a white glove sale, with 100% sold. An outstanding result was achieved by a dismantled Vincent project motorcycle, which made £41,880 – four times its pre-sale estimate.

James Stensel, Head of Bonhams Motorcycles (UK), said: "The Bonhams Stafford Sales continue to set a benchmark, attracting a truly international audience, with bidders from no fewer than 36 countries – living up to The International Classic Motorcycle Show’s name.

Ben Walker, Global Head of Bonhams Motorcycles, added: "This bellwether sale demonstrates that the market is strong for collectors’ motorcycles despite the challenging past couple of years.

The Bonhams Motorcycles team will return to Stafford on 15-16 October for their Autumn Sale, for which consignments are currently being invited, following a visit to Rome for the department’s first sale in Italy – Passione Moto - taking place at the world-renowned Moto de Miti in Civita Castellana, near the Eternal City two weeks earlier (1-2 October).

Meanwhile, the team is currently hosting its first dedicated online auction: the Phil Morris Road Racing Collection of Memorabilia and Motorcycle Spares - one of the world’s largest selections of motorcycle racing memorabilia and motorcycle spares founded by leading figure of the paddock, Phil Morris. The online sale runs until 3 May and can be viewed here: Bonhams : The Phil Morris Road Racing Museum Collection of Memorabilia and Motorcycle Spares.

Contact the Bonhams Motorcycles team at: ukmotorcycles@bonhams.com or visit www.bonhams.com/motorcycles to read the latest news and request a complimentary auction valuation.

25 April