1938 Brough Superior SS100

The ex-Henry Laird Demonstrator
1938 Brough Superior SS100
Frame no. M1/1936
Engine no. BS/X2 1039
982cc OHV 50-Degree V-Twin Engine
Single Amal 6/200 Carburetor
48bhp at 4,200rpm
4-Speed Foot Shift Transmission
Castle Leading-Link Fork
2-Wheel Drum Brakes

*Matching numbers example
*Factory guaranteed to achieve 100mph when new
*Penultimate production year
*One of only 34 SS100 models produced in 1938
*Restored in 2015

THE BROUGH SUPERIOR SS100

Legendary superbike of motorcycling's between-the-wars 'Golden Age,' Brough Superior - 'The Rolls-Royce of Motorcycles' - was synonymous with high performance, engineering excellence and quality of finish. That such a formidable reputation was forged by a motorcycle constructed almost entirely from bought-in components says much for the publicity skills of George Brough. But if ever a machine was more than the sum of its parts, it was the Brough Superior.

Always the perfectionist, Brough bought only the best available components for his bikes, reasoning that if the product was right, a lofty price tag would be no handicap. And in the 'Roaring Twenties,' there were sufficient wealthy connoisseurs around to prove him right.

First shown to the public in 1924, the SS100 employed an entirely new 980cc JAP v-twin engine. A frame of duplex cradle type was devised for the newcomer, which soon after its launch became available with the distinctive, Harley-Davidson-influenced, Castle front fork patented by George Brough and Harold 'Oily' Karslake. And just in case prospective customers had any doubts about the SS100's performance, each machine came with a written guarantee that it had been timed at over 100mph for a quarter of a mile - a staggering achievement at a time when very few road vehicles of any sort were capable of reaching three-figure speeds.

In 1936 the SS100 adopted an overhead-valve version of an engine built by Associated Motor Cycles, and the model continued to use the Plumstead-made engines until production ceased in 1939.

THE MOTORCYCLE OFFERED

Its Brough Superior Club copy works record card reveals that this particular SS100 - frame number 'M1/1936', engine number 'BS/X2 1039' - was supplied new to C R Hussey in 1938. Records describe it as an ex-Henry Laird demonstrator with matching engine and frame numbers. In May 1939, journalist Henry Laird traveled in the sidecar of an SS100 piloted by George Brough in the London to Edinburgh endurance run and wrote about the adventure in the June 1939 issue of Motor Cycling.

Little else is known about the early history of the motorcycle until 1962 when a record of its ownership by Mr. William Kirk of Sheffield was recorded. Four additional owners are known before Robert Shapiro purchased the machine from Popeswood Garage in 1993. Mr. Shapiro took the Brough on a rally to Switzerland and informed a later owner that the engine had spent some time in a Morgan three-wheeler before being reunited with the frame. It is assumed that the extra oil feed to the top of the engine dates from its time in the Morgan.

In 2015, the cycle parts were restored by Gordon Nicholls at British Classic Motorcycles of Yatton, Bristol. Gordon also removed the engine top-end for inspection and found that little required attention; a minor welded repair was made to one valve cover and rocker, and all eight cylinder-barrel studs were replaced with stainless steel alternatives. The motorcycle was offered and sold on April 24, 2016, at the Bonhams Spring Stafford Sale. Later in 2016, the machine was further sorted by well-known marque expert Simon Miles. The present owner acquired the motorcycle from JD Classics of Essex in 2017. The vendor informs us that the motorcycle is presently in very good running condition. Accompanying paperwork consists of a copy of the factory record card, several work receipts, sales receipts from 1993, 1997, and 2017, an old MoT (expired 1997) and an old-style V5 registration document.