Born in 1890, and with the world about to boom with an automotive revolution, a young George Brough was lucky to grow up with his father the owner of a motorcycle company. For most, and especially at that time, it would mark a simple but incredible life of working side by side with your family before one day inheriting the business. But George Brough is like no other figure in motorcycle history, and when his dad wouldn’t come around to building high-performance machines, a young George set up his own outfit and added to the family name the word ‘Superior’. He sure could back it up, and this stunning 1938 Brough Superior SS80 De Luxe & Petrol Tube Sidecar is a living example of his commitment to perfection and is equipped with a host of rare factory options.
By now everybody with half an interest in the motorcycle world will know that the Brough Superior was the motorcycle brand of choice for the legendary Lawrence of Arabia (T.E. Lawrence). Nearly a century on comedian and automotive nut, Jay Leno is keeping that spirit alive as he spends millions to acquire Brough bikes and anything to do with them. Like the king of late night, this SS80 calls the United States home, but to truly understand the machine known as the “Rolls Royce of Motorcycles”, you have to go back to the Brough Superior factory on Haydn Road in Nottingham, England.
The first Brough Superior hit the road in 1919 and by 1920 the design process for the SS80 had begun, SS for super sport and the 80 reflecting the factory guaranteed top speed in mph of the motorcycle in roadworthy condition. The thought process George had was completely different from the almost exclusively commuter-based motorcycles being sold around the world at the time, this he said was “a type of machine designed from the experienced solo rider’s point of view.” By 1922 the SS80 was ready for sale and was offered with a JAP (J.A. Prestwick) engine, and George knew the perfect way to prove just how good his bike was.
Using a stripped-for-racing version (nicknamed ‘Spit and Polish’) ridden by George, it became the first side-valve-engine or flat head machine to lap the Brooklands track at over 100mph. Even more spectacular was the fact that this landmark figure had been achieved on its maker’s Brooklands debut. The year before the company had sold just three motorcycles, after George’s feat, 103 bikes went to their new owners and this set a production figure that would remain relatively consistent for the company’s lifetime, George not wanting to move away from the high end, hand-built product he believed in.
By the time that this machine was ordered, the SS80 had been joined by the SS100, and the reputation of the brand was set in stone as world records continued to tumble. The JAP engine had made way for the v twin AJS/Matchless motor, similar in design to the Matchless MX model, but using a number of internal changes that George had requested. Just 460 of the Matchless powered bikes were ever built and this being the De Luxe model it featured some of George Brough’s more advanced designs, including a fully sprung rear wheel, bottom link front forks, a patented rolling stand, and a specially tuned engine.
Known by its chassis number, #M8/1997, the order form for this bike that had been placed at the Birmingham dealer’s office, clearly came from a customer who was not satisfied with simply owning the best motorcycle that money could buy. So, with an options list in front of him, he ticked the boxes for a left-hand side brake pedal, Amal sports handlebars with dual internal twist grips, Cranford hinged rear guard, Wasdell front guard, top and bottom rear chain covers, voltage control, rear footrests and apparently a number of other mechanical upgrades.
Still not content, the order form also included a request for one of the company’s ‘Petrol Tube’ sidecars. The large single tube design was built to the same incredible quality as the motorcycle that powered it. To prove just how high George’s standards were, this chassis, engine, and sidecar are all numbers matching to this day. The highly correct example currently wears the same black with gold accenting and black and red sidecar that it left the factory with, although it appears that there has been a minor refreshing of the paintwork performed once during its lifetime. The original leather on the solo seat, pillion seat, and saddlebags remains in excellent condition.
Inside the sidecar, the sumptuous red leather is just as good, and the outfit features an extra 1.5gallon fuel tank for those long days out in the saddle. The current owner has spent some significant time ensuring that the SS80 presents in outstanding condition, and the electrical system has been refreshed to provide a reliable ride. But testament to the incredible quality of the machine, only new copper head gaskets and a carby clean were required to have the bike purring like new once again.
World War II would take a huge toll on the company as George joined the war effort building crankshafts for the Rolls Royce Merlin engine. But as much as this is a story of one amazing machine, it is also a reminder to all in the custom scene, that a commitment to absolute perfection will take you a hell of a long way and leave a legacy that lasts longer than your lifetime.
