1928 Brough Superior 'Moby Dick' to be sold for £589,000

The ‘Rolls-Royce of motorcycles’ aka the above 1928 Brough Superior SS100 is due to go up for auction for an estimated €500,000 – €700,000 (£420,775-£589,085) in Italy next month. 

Along with some of the most desirable bikes in the industry, the 1140cc Brough, tuned by George Brough and JAP, headlines RM Sotheby’s (the official auction house of the Concorso d’Eleganza Villa d’Este) in Villa Erba, Lake Como.

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In 1931, it was labelled ‘Moby Dick’ by Motor Cycling Magazine as the ‘fastest privately owned machine in the world’ – a title earned by clocking 115mph in top gear. 

Later on, when the Nottingham-built bike was owned by Ralph Bilbe the top speed record was broken when he achieved 126mph on the A30 between Stockbridge and Salisbury, Wiltshire. 

Augustin Sabatie-Garat from RM Sotheby’s said: “In the motorcycle world, ‘Moby Dick’ is the ultimate Brough Superior you can buy. 

“It was the fastest bike of its era, and enjoyed immense racing success in period. 

“A definite jewel of any collection, it is certainly deserving of its place among the most valuable motorcycles ever presented at auction, and holds the potential to set a new benchmark for any British bike sold at auction.”

The total collection, named ‘Moto-Icons: From Cafe Racer to the Superbike’, is being sold by an unnamed vendor, with an added 4 Broughs, 4 MV Agustas and 2 Nortons.

With the current record for a British bike to go up for sale being £330,000, will the Brough beat it on Saturday, May 27? Leave your estimations in the comment boxes below. 

Looking for the perfect two-wheeled companion? Visit MCN Bikes For Sale website or use MCN’s Bikes For Sale App.