Lot details
Registration No: FS 7049
Frame No: 1521
Engine No: LTZ/Z34452-SDF
cc: 1150
MOT Expiry Date: None

George Brough established his own motorcycle manufacturing company at Haydn Road Nottingham, having fallen out and left Brough, the company owned by his father, W.E Brough due to a disagreement concerning cylinder angles. W.E. Brough had become an advocate of the flat twin, adopting ABC engines for his motorcycles before moving on to the production of his own engines retaining the configuration with capacities of 496cc to 810cc, a move that George did not support and which prompted the production of some of the most iconic motorcycles ever produced. George was well known as a competitor in motorcycle racing, highly regarded as a technician and understood the value of marketing. He successfully utilised all of these talents in elevating his machines to being objects of desire, items that did more than simply provide transport.
His flair for marketing was highlighted when he successfully sought permission from the illustrious car maker to describe his machines as "The Rolls Royce of Motorcycles", combined with his insistence that only the best components were used in the creation of the motorcycles bearing the Brough Superior script and that they were then assembled with a level of care and precision beyond that of other manufacturers ensured that the motorcycles leaving his premises were more than the sum of their parts. His competition background resulted in machines that handled and went as well as they looked, whilst the "bespoke" nature of the machines, a catalogue was published, the machines therein representing a starting point for the would be owner who could then tailor his choice of basic model to his or her own requirements.
As the 1930's opened the worlds economic climate was in dire straits and even manufacturers such as Brough Superior, despite their illustrious client base, were forced to make concessions in order to survive. In 1933 they offered clients the option of purchasing one of their vee twins without electrics, speedometer or number plates in order to save a few "bob"! For those that could not stretch to a stripped down SS80 or SS100 but simply could not be seen on anything other than a Brough Superior there was the option of the new 680 side valve. The 680 side valve had, by Brough Superior standards, a very low specification and did not meet with success vanishing from the catalogue for the 1934 season. Introduced at the same time as the little 680 was a side valve machine of a totally different complexion, worthy of bearing the Brough Superior name, in form of the mighty 11.50 which quickly established a loyal following. The new model appealed to those seeking the relaxed "loping" gait that only a high geared, unstressed large capacity side valve twin can deliver, or those requiring a high quality sidecar tug capable of hauling its impediment at high speeds. It cost a little less than £100 when first introduced, although the machines inherent charm and character were probably of greater significance than its cost for potential buyers. It should be noted that the banking sidecar offered in the auction today was originally partnered by an 11/50.
This example, first registered in Edinburgh, offered at no reserve, was last run approximately two years ago and should require only a little recommissioning to return it to the road, alternatively it would provide an excellent basis for a concours restoration. It is accompanied by a copy of the factory record card, a letter from the Brough Superior registrar listing all its previous keepers from 1950, documents from the Brough Club and Kithead Trust to the last owner, Mr Brodie and a Swansea V5C.
PLEASE NOTE: This motorcycle does not have a V5C Registration Document.
PLEASE NOTE: This motorcycle is said to be 'matching numbers'.