'Moby Dick' Brough Superior SS100 to be auctioned

The SS100 has attracted a pre-sale estimate of $240,000 - $280,000 and is expected to prove very popular with bidders.

Tested by Motor Cycling magazine in 1931, 'Moby Dick' achieved a top speed of 170kph, a staggering achievement at a time when very few road vehicles of any sort were capable of reaching three-figure speeds. Further tuning of the modified 1,142cc v-twin engine later raised that figure to 184kph in top (third) gear, with 175kph achievable in second. Sold but later repurchased by the vendor's family, Moby Dick was restored in 1998 and since then has continued to delight and amaze enthusiasts wherever it appears.

While 'Moby Dick' is expected to bring in the top price, it's not the only Brough consigned for October's Staffordshire auction. A 1924 Brough Superior 980cc SS80 has been billed as one of the earliest surviving SS80s. It was the first of the Brough Superior range to feature the cradle frame derived from Bert le Vack's Brooklands racer and also an early machine to feature a twist grip throttle and dynamo lighting as standard. It is also fitted with the desirable Bonnkisen 100 mph speedometer and it is expected to attract much interest. It is estimated to sell for _75,000-95,000. Another prominent Brough Superior on offer is the 1933 '11-50' that took the 'best original in show' award at the BSOC Rally in 2004 (_32,000-38,000).

Other consignments of interest for the Stafford auction include a 'barn find' collection of British classics, restored Heinkel Tourist scooter, early Moto Guzzi Cardelline, Vincent Series B & D Rapides, Hesketh V1000, a pair of Egli Vincents and a collection of fully-restored 70s-era Kawasakis.

Ben Walker, Head of Motorcycles at Bonhams, comments, "The second Bonhams Stafford sale of 2011 will offer one of our most eclectic selection of significant collectors' motorcycles ever, with everything from one of the earliest Brough Superior SS80s to a concours condition Kawasaki Z1, and aims to build on the incredible success of our April auction and its $2 million result. With in excess of 200 machines we aim to have something for everyone."