1935 Brough Superior 4.2-Litre Dual Purpose Drophead Coupé
1 of just 25 eight-cylinder cars produced

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

PLEASE NOTE: This lot has been on static display in a Private Collection since 2021 and therefore will need some recommissioning.

• Understood to be the first chassis and the third registered eight-cylinder example
• Previous family ownership for over sixty years (from 1960 until 2021)
• Supplied new to Major Michael Wills of W.D and H.O Wills Tobacco
• Just five owners from new, two from the same family
• 1 of only 25 eight-cylinder cars made
• Entered from a significant private collection

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 fully 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 down to a bare chassis, the Brough Superior was reunited with its original engine (once suitably overhauled), had its fully bodywork renovated, mechanicals restored, and was treated to a new hood.

Thereafter owned by the third owner’s son for many years, ‘BYN 486’ was fitted with a new starter motor in April 2020. Coming to market for the first time in sixty-one years in 2021, the Brough was purchased into the significant private collection in which it is offered from and has resided in since. Offered with a current V5C, copy of ‘Ninety in Silence’ sales brochure and some assorted paperwork. Exceedingly rare and with a beautifully patinated interior, powerful straight-eight engine and sublime ‘30s styling, this Brough Superior is not one to be missed for pre-war car fans!

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