Registration No: BYN 486
Chassis No: 542398
MOT: Exempt

• Understood to be the first chassis number and the third registered eight-cylinder car
• Current family ownership since 1960
• Supplied new to Major Michael Wills of W.D and H.O Wills Tobacco
• Just four owners from new, two from the same family
• One of only 25 eight-cylinder cars made

Having built a Meadows-engined prototype in 1933, George Brough decided bodying another manufacturer’s rolling chassis was the best way into small-scale motorcar production. Settling on Hudson’s high-performance ‘Eight’ as the ideal donor, he secured a supply from the American manufacturer only to meet with fierce resistance from Noel Macklin’s Railton concern which had had the same idea several years earlier and did not wish to share running gear with a UK rival. Threatened with legal action, Hudson only sold twenty-five eight-cylinder chassis to Brough before providing fifty examples of their less contentious six-cylinder chassis. As he had with the prototype, Brough commissioned W.C. Atcherley of Birmingham to body his four-wheeled creations. Undeniably well-proportioned and attractive, the coachbuilder’s patented ‘Dual Purpose’ design featured a three-position convertible roof that folded almost level with the door tops.

Understood to be the first Brough Superior eight-cylinder car in terms of its chassis number and the third one to be registered, ‘BYN 486’ was supplied new to Major Michael Wills of the tobacco importer and cigarette manufacturer, W.D and H.O. Wills. Involved in a road accident during February 1937, the ‘Dual Purpose’ then passed to Wing Commander Sykes of Buckinghamshire who had it repaired. Used by the Wing Commander up until 1943, he is thought to have swapped the original 4.2 litre eight-cylinder engine (placing it into storage) for a 16.9hp six-cylinder unit whilst on RAF leave. Laid-up for ten years or so before being purchased by the vendor’s father in 1960, an extensive restoration commenced the following year. Stripped to a bare chassis, the Brough Superior was reunited with its original engine (once suitably overhauled), had its bodywork renovated / repainted and was treated to a new hood. Coming to market for the first time in sixty-one years, ‘BYN 486’ was fitted with a new starter motor in April 2020 and is due to be driven some sixty miles to the auction. Offered with a current V5C, copy of ‘Ninety in Silence’ sales brochure and some assorted paperwork.

Vendor Condition Ratings:

Bodywork: 'Very Good’
Engine: 'Very Good'
Electrical Equipment: ‘Very Good’
Paintwork: ‘Good'
Gearbox: 'Very Good'
Interior Trim: 'Good'

For more information, please contact:
Paul Cheetham
paul.cheetham@handh.co.uk
07538 667452