Rare Brough Superior and Vincent sidecar outfits set star at upcoming spring auction

Two absolute classic British motorcycle sidecar outfits, including what is described as ‘possibly the most complete and original Brough Superior combination ever offered’, are the star lots at a specialist auction this coming spring.

A 1939 990cc Brough SS80 and is being offered along with a 1951 998cc Vincent Rapide Series C in the Shuttleworth Spring Motorcycle Sale at Shuttleworth Aerodrome, Old Warden Park, Bedfordshire, on April 7.

Broughs are often cited as among the rarest and most valuable of all classic bikes and were produced between 1919 and 1939. Their V-twins were advertised as ‘the Rolls-Royce of motorcycles’, were famously associated with ‘Lawrence of Arabia’, T.E. Lawrence, with its range-topping SS100 capable of over 100mph.

Although the side valve SS80 was superseded by the overhead valve SS100, it re-entered production in 1935 where it remained until 1939. Unusually, Brough also offered a range of sidecars, an important market in the 1930s, which were built by outside suppliers to Brough’s specification.

The machine being offered is one of the last examples built. It uses the AMC side-valve V-twin, as fitted to the Matchless Model X, with subtle differences in specification, is still attached to the Alpine Grand Sport Cruiser ‘Petrol Tube’ sidecar specified when new, was first registered in April 1939 in Glasgow, has a complete documented history, and is presented in running order complete with current V5C. It’s expected to fetch between £60,000 – £70,000.

The Vincent is a Rapide Series C, meanwhile, is fitted with a Steib sidecar. The Stevenage firm’s bikes were most famous in the immediate post-war period and were renowned for being the fastest vehicles on the road with a top speed of over 100mph thanks to their legendary 998cc V-twin engine.

This correct numbers example is presented in ‘older restoration’ condition, comes fitted with a period Steib sidecar, has a large history file and the auctioneers say it has been running recently but may require some recommissioning before road use. It has a guide price of £35,000 – £40,000.

The bikes are just two of many up for sale at the auction with further entries still being invited.

Go to iconicauctioneers.com for more information.