1938 Brough Superior SS100 Special Racing

Lot details
Registration No: N/A
Frame No: M1/1990
Engine No: 62587/JTOR/G
cc: 1000
MOT Expiry Date: None

Advertisements for the first Brough Superior, the Mark 1, appeared in the press during November 1920 and orders were forthcoming, however, George Brough was not satisfied with his new machine and started development of a "super sports" model, the SS80, which became available during 1923. As with all his products, the SS80 was not a response to the views of the press and other "experts", it was developed by George Brough to meet his standards, tested and evolved by him. It was followed in 1925 by the SS100, an overhead valve 1000cc that was inspired by Le Vack's record breaking machine of 1924 This motorcycle secured the record for the flying kilometre on the 27th April 1924, setting a speed 182.82 km/h at Senart in France, increasing this on the 6th July 1927 to 191.59km/h. The new machine was guaranteed to be able to reach the magic 100mph mark, but just as importantly it offered exceptional handling, braking and good looks and quickly established itself as the most desirable motorcycle in the world. From its inception until 1936 the SS100 was powered by JAP over head valve vee twins, but from 1936 the "production" SS100 adopted a Matchless engine.

The motorcycle shown was built to special order in 1938 with engine number JTOR/G 62587 and chassis number M I / 1990, as a "Special Racing SS100" with a rigid frame and JAP engine, as confirmed by the works record card.

The machine was dispatched from the works to Agar Cross and Co, who were forwarding agents for bikes that were sold new to overseas customers, on the 20th December 1938. They sold several SS100 models to Argentina mostly for use by the police in Buenos Aires.

This particular machine was quite different to the catalogued SS100 models having been ordered and built as an out and out racing model equipped with a Swallow Donington sidecar from the works. There are some theories as to why this was done but the general feeling is that it was something to do with import /customs problems.

A JAP JTOR/G vee twin engine was employed due to its higher performance ,instead of a Matchless engine as employed by the "standard" SS100's of the time, and was fed by an Amal 1 ½ inch racing carburettor with a stub fitting. A special competition oil tank was also employed. The machine left the works bereft of any lights or a horn, although items have been fitted since to enable its use on the road. The owner contacted the Brough club when he acquired the machine to apply for membership and was delighted to learn that he was now the owner of an extremely rare item. There are letters from the Club Registrar in which he say s ' Your machine is unique and very rare and is a major discovery as we did not know it had survived. It is the very last SS100 to be sold with a JAP engine and must have been made to a very special order'.