Broughs shine at Shannons Melbourne Summer Auction

Acknowledged worldwide as the premier British motorcycle of the pre-war period, Brough Superiors were expensive new, but are worth much, much more now, so the two consigned for the Melbourne auction attracted a lot of attention.

 

The top seller of the pair was a C1933 SS80 (Super Sport 80) with a JAP engine that was delivered new to Australia, allegedly for assessment by the Victoria Police. Given the hefty price, the police passed on the SS80, which came with Castle forks and interchangeable wheels, and put it to auction.

 

The vendor's late father, who attempted to buy the Brough at that auction back in the '30s, eventually got hold of the bike in 1950 and rode it regularly for a number of years. The SS80 had remained in the family ever since, but given the ravages of time, came to auction in project condition.

 

Carrying a pre-sale high estimate of $100,000, the SS80 saw a protracted bidding duel that eventually saw the bike sell to a

local bidder for $115,000.

 

The second Brough, a C1934 11-50 SV, was also in project condition, but described as "non-original" due to a replacement engine and different front suspension.

Part of a small collection assembled by the vendor's father, the 11-50 was offered with No Reserve and a top estimate of $40,000. At the auction, the 11-50 eventually sold for $37,500 and like the SS80, went to an Australian buyer.

 

At the same auction, a 1964 Vespa VBB 150 scooter sold for $6,500, a C1950 JAP speedway bike made $12,000, a C1932 Motosacoche 500cc single (in project state) sold for $11,000 and a rare C1904 Peugeot autocycle made $4,000. All these bikes were offered with no reserve.