Motorcycles

The "Broughs of Bodmin Moor" – another major barnfind

The "Broughs of Bodmin Moor" – another major barnfind
The "Broughs of Bodmin Moor" Collection is to be sold at auction on 24 April 2016
The "Broughs of Bodmin Moor" Collection is to be sold at auction on 24 April 2016
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This 1937 Brough Superior 982 cc SS80 Project is estimated to sell for between US$9,100 and $12,000
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This 1937 Brough Superior 982 cc SS80 Project is estimated to sell for between US$9,100 and $12,000
The ex- Hubert Chantrey,1938 Brough Superior 800 cc BS4 is estimated to sell for between £80,000 and £120,000 (US$120,000 - $180,000)
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The ex- Hubert Chantrey,1938 Brough Superior 800 cc BS4 is estimated to sell for between £80,000 and £120,000 (US$120,000 - $180,000)
This 1926 Brough Superior SS100 Frame is estimated to sell for£30,000 to £40,000 (US$45,000 to $61,000)
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This 1926 Brough Superior SS100 Frame is estimated to sell for£30,000 to £40,000 (US$45,000 to $61,000)
This 1938 Brough Superior 982 cc SS80 Project with Petrol Tube Sidecar is estimated to sell for £22,000 to £32,000 (US$33,000 and $48,000)
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This 1938 Brough Superior 982 cc SS80 Project with Petrol Tube Sidecar is estimated to sell for £22,000 to £32,000 (US$33,000 and $48,000)
This 1939 Brough Superior 982 cc SS80 Project is estimated to sell for £20,000 and £30,000 (US$30,000 and $45,000)
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This 1939 Brough Superior 982 cc SS80 Project is estimated to sell for £20,000 and £30,000 (US$30,000 and $45,000)
This 1938 Brough Superior 1,096 cc 11-50HP Project is estimated to sell for £16,000 to £22,000 (US$24,000 to $33,000).
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This 1938 Brough Superior 1,096 cc 11-50HP Project is estimated to sell for £16,000 to £22,000 (US$24,000 to $33,000).
This 1936 Brough Superior SS80 Project is estimated to sell for £6,000 to £8,000 (US$9,100 to $12,000)
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This 1936 Brough Superior SS80 Project is estimated to sell for £6,000 to £8,000 (US$9,100 to $12,000)
1938 Brough Superior 1,096 cc 11-50HP Project is estimated to sell for £16,000 to £22,000 (US$24,000 to $33,000)
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1938 Brough Superior 1,096 cc 11-50HP Project is estimated to sell for £16,000 to £22,000 (US$24,000 to $33,000)
This 1938 Brough Superior 1,096 cc 11-50HP Project is estimated to sell for £16,000 to £22,000 (US$24,000 to $33,000)
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This 1938 Brough Superior 1,096 cc 11-50HP Project is estimated to sell for £16,000 to £22,000 (US$24,000 to $33,000)
This 1938 Brough Superior 1,096 cc 11-50HP Project is estimated to sell for £16,000 to £22,000 (US$24,000 to $33,000)
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This 1938 Brough Superior 1,096 cc 11-50HP Project is estimated to sell for £16,000 to £22,000 (US$24,000 to $33,000)
This 1938 Brough Superior 1,096 cc 11-50HP Project is estimated to sell for £16,000 to £22,000 (US$24,000 to $33,000)
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This 1938 Brough Superior 1,096 cc 11-50HP Project is estimated to sell for £16,000 to £22,000 (US$24,000 to $33,000)
This 1938 Brough Superior 1,096 cc 11-50HP Project is estimated to sell for £16,000 to £22,000 (US$24,000 to $33,000)
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This 1938 Brough Superior 1,096 cc 11-50HP Project is estimated to sell for £16,000 to £22,000 (US$24,000 to $33,000)
This 1938 Brough Superior 982 cc SS80 Project with Petrol Tube Sidecar is estimated to sell for £22,000 to £32,000 (US$33,000 and $48,000)
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This 1938 Brough Superior 982 cc SS80 Project with Petrol Tube Sidecar is estimated to sell for £22,000 to £32,000 (US$33,000 and $48,000)
This 1938 Brough Superior 982 cc SS80 Project with Petrol Tube Sidecar is estimated to sell for £22,000 to £32,000 (US$33,000 and $48,000)
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This 1938 Brough Superior 982 cc SS80 Project with Petrol Tube Sidecar is estimated to sell for £22,000 to £32,000 (US$33,000 and $48,000)
This 1938 Brough Superior 982 cc SS80 Project with Petrol Tube Sidecar is estimated to sell for £22,000 to £32,000 (US$33,000 and $48,000)
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This 1938 Brough Superior 982 cc SS80 Project with Petrol Tube Sidecar is estimated to sell for £22,000 to £32,000 (US$33,000 and $48,000)
This 1938 Brough Superior 982 cc SS80 Project with Petrol Tube Sidecar is estimated to sell for £22,000 to £32,000 (US$33,000 and $48,000)
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This 1938 Brough Superior 982 cc SS80 Project with Petrol Tube Sidecar is estimated to sell for £22,000 to £32,000 (US$33,000 and $48,000)
This 1938 Brough Superior 982 cc SS80 Project with Petrol Tube Sidecar is estimated to sell for £22,000 to £32,000 (US$33,000 and $48,000)
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This 1938 Brough Superior 982 cc SS80 Project with Petrol Tube Sidecar is estimated to sell for £22,000 to £32,000 (US$33,000 and $48,000)
This 1938 Brough Superior 982 cc SS80 Project with Petrol Tube Sidecar is estimated to sell for £22,000 to £32,000 (US$33,000 and $48,000)
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This 1938 Brough Superior 982 cc SS80 Project with Petrol Tube Sidecar is estimated to sell for £22,000 to £32,000 (US$33,000 and $48,000)
This 1938 Brough Superior 982 cc SS100 Project is estimated to sell for £60,000 to £80,000 (US$91,000 to $120,000)
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This 1938 Brough Superior 982 cc SS100 Project is estimated to sell for £60,000 to £80,000 (US$91,000 to $120,000)
This 1938 Brough Superior 982 cc SS100 Project is estimated to sell for £60,000 to £80,000 (US$91,000 to $120,000)
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This 1938 Brough Superior 982 cc SS100 Project is estimated to sell for £60,000 to £80,000 (US$91,000 to $120,000)
This 1938 Brough Superior 982 cc SS100 Project is estimated to sell for £60,000 to £80,000 (US$91,000 to $120,000)
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This 1938 Brough Superior 982 cc SS100 Project is estimated to sell for £60,000 to £80,000 (US$91,000 to $120,000)
This 1938 Brough Superior 982 cc SS100 Project is estimated to sell for £60,000 to £80,000 (US$91,000 to $120,000)
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This 1938 Brough Superior 982 cc SS100 Project is estimated to sell for £60,000 to £80,000 (US$91,000 to $120,000)
This 1938 Brough Superior 982 cc SS100 Project is estimated to sell for £60,000 to £80,000 (US$91,000 to $120,000)
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This 1938 Brough Superior 982 cc SS100 Project is estimated to sell for £60,000 to £80,000 (US$91,000 to $120,000)
This 1938 Brough Superior 982 cc SS100 Project is estimated to sell for £60,000 to £80,000 (US$91,000 to $120,000)
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This 1938 Brough Superior 982 cc SS100 Project is estimated to sell for £60,000 to £80,000 (US$91,000 to $120,000)
This 1927 Brough Superior SS100 Alpine Grand Sport Project set a world record for an unassembled motorcycle in October, 2015, selling for £259,100 ($400,039). Don't let the "basketcase" condition fool you, this pile of bits is pure gold. Bonham's auction description cites the SS100 Alpine Grand Sport as "the most desirable of Vintage-era motorcycles" and it should know, as it sold a fully restored version of this bike for £315,100 (US$492,973) less than twelve months ago. RM Auctions sold another SS100 Alpine Grand Sport for £259,100 ($400,039) in October, 2015, also becoming the 13th most valuable motorcycle ever sold at auction.
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This 1927 Brough Superior SS100 Alpine Grand Sport Project set a world record for an unassembled motorcycle in October, 2015, selling for £259,100 ($400,039). Don't let the "basketcase" condition fool you, this pile of bits is pure gold. Bonham's auction description cites the SS100 Alpine Grand Sport as "the most desirable of Vintage-era motorcycles" and it should know, as it sold a fully restored version of this bike for £315,100 (US$492,973) less than twelve months ago. RM Auctions sold another SS100 Alpine Grand Sport for £259,100 ($400,039) in October, 2015, also becoming the 13th most valuable motorcycle ever sold at auction.
This 1926 Brough Superior SS100 Alpine Grand Sport Project sold for £236,700 ($365,454) at Bonhams Autumn Stafford Sale held on 18 October, 2015
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This 1926 Brough Superior SS100 Alpine Grand Sport Project sold for £236,700 ($365,454) at Bonhams Autumn Stafford Sale held on 18 October, 2015
The "Broughs of Bodmin Moor" Collection is to be sold at auction on 24 April 2016
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The "Broughs of Bodmin Moor" Collection is to be sold at auction on 24 April 2016
At Bonhams' 2015 Stafford Autumn Sale on 18 October, 2015, a 1927 Brough Superior SS100 Alpine Grand Sport Project sold for US$400,039 (£259,100 - pictured at left), and a 1926 Brough Superior SS100 Alpine Grand Sport Project sold for $365,454 (£236,700 - right)
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At Bonhams' 2015 Stafford Autumn Sale on 18 October, 2015, a 1927 Brough Superior SS100 Alpine Grand Sport Project sold for US$400,039 (£259,100 - pictured at left), and a 1926 Brough Superior SS100 Alpine Grand Sport Project sold for $365,454 (£236,700 - right)
Prior to October, 2015, only one basketcase (unassembled motorcycle) had ever sold for more than $100,000 - a 1955 Vincent Black Prince "project" which sold for US$153,094 (£91,100 in June, 2014)
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Prior to October, 2015, only one basketcase (unassembled motorcycle) had ever sold for more than $100,000 - a 1955 Vincent Black Prince "project" which sold for US$153,094 (£91,100 in June, 2014)
The last time a BS4 went to auction, a 1932 model (pictured) sold for £246,400 (US$375,913) at H&H Classic Auctions April 2013 sale at the Imperial War Museum
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The last time a BS4 went to auction, a 1932 model (pictured) sold for £246,400 (US$375,913) at H&H Classic Auctions April 2013 sale at the Imperial War Museum
View gallery - 30 images

Barnfinds continue to step from urban legend into reality, the latest being the discovery of eight Brough Superior Motorcycles in a Cornish village. Stored in barns, the motorcycles were discovered whole, in parts, and some were partially submerged under five decades of dust. The "Broughs of Bodmin Moor" will be offered at Bonhams Spring Stafford Sale on 24 April 2016 and will be certain to create global interest given the recent prices achieved by basketcases.

Prior to October, 2015, only one basketcase (unassembled motorcycle) had ever sold for more than $100,000, a 1955 Vincent Black Prince "project" below which sold for US$153,094 (£91,100 in June, 2014).

Prior to October, 2015, only one basketcase (unassembled motorcycle) had ever sold for more than $100,000 - a 1955 Vincent Black Prince "project" which sold for US$153,094 (£91,100 in June, 2014)
Prior to October, 2015, only one basketcase (unassembled motorcycle) had ever sold for more than $100,000 - a 1955 Vincent Black Prince "project" which sold for US$153,094 (£91,100 in June, 2014)

At Bonhams' 2015 Stafford Autumn Sale on 18 October, 2015, a 1927 Brough Superior SS100 Alpine Grand Sport Project sold for $400,039 (£259,100 - below left), a 1926 Brough Superior SS100 Alpine Grand Sport Project sold for $365,454 (£236,700 - below right) and a 1934 Brough Superior 1,096 cc 11-50 HP Project sold for $144,113 (£93,340). Though the latter was in one piece, it needed a complete restoration.

At Bonhams' 2015 Stafford Autumn Sale on 18 October, 2015, a 1927 Brough Superior SS100 Alpine Grand Sport Project sold for US$400,039 (£259,100 - pictured at left), and a 1926 Brough Superior SS100 Alpine Grand Sport Project sold for $365,454 (£236,700 - right)
At Bonhams' 2015 Stafford Autumn Sale on 18 October, 2015, a 1927 Brough Superior SS100 Alpine Grand Sport Project sold for US$400,039 (£259,100 - pictured at left), and a 1926 Brough Superior SS100 Alpine Grand Sport Project sold for $365,454 (£236,700 - right)

In one day, Bonhams sold the most valuable basketcase motorcycle in history, more than doubling the previous record, and the second most valuable basketcase in history.

Authenticity appears to be suddenly bringing a premium at motorcycle auctions, as does the knowledge that if you are going to have a restored motorcycle in the investment portfolio, being able to vouch for the quality of the workmanship is an insurance policy, and the only sure fire way to be able to do that is to have overseen it.

So the possibilities that arise from the bikes unearthed at Bodmin Moor are potentially going to make for an interesting auction, particularly given that two Series-A Vincent Rapides (here and here) and a 1929 Coventry Eagle 980cc Flying-8 OHV are already on the bill.

Foremost among the Brough Superiors found at Bodmin Moor is a fabled, four cylinder BS4 Brough Superior. Of the 3,048 Brough Superior motorcycles ever made, only eight four-cylinder machines were ever built (and they all had two rear wheels, as they were intended to be sidecar mounts), and the example in this collection is the final one to be re-discovered. All the others are now accounted for.

The last time a BS4 went to auction, a 1932 model (pictured) sold for £246,400 (US$375,913) at H&H Classic Auctions April 2013 sale at the Imperial War Museum
The last time a BS4 went to auction, a 1932 model (pictured) sold for £246,400 (US$375,913) at H&H Classic Auctions April 2013 sale at the Imperial War Museum

The last time a BS4 went to auction, a 1932 model (pictured above) sold for £246,400 ($375,913) at the H&H Classic Auctions April 2013 sale at the Imperial War Museum. The Vintagent's Paul D'Orleans rode one and called it a "zen motorcycle." The estimate of £80,000 to £120,000 looks very conservative in light of the Bonhams' 2015 Stafford Autumn Sale results just a few months ago.

"This is one of the greatest motorcycle discoveries of recent times," said Ben Walker, International Director for Bonhams Collectors' Motorcycle Department. "A lot of mystery surrounds these motorcycles, as very few people knew that they still existed, many believing them to be an urban myth. There was a theory that they still existed somewhere in the West Country, but few knew where, until now."

The motorcycles were owned by Brough Superior Club member Frank Vague, who recently passed away. Most of the bikes were apparently acquired during the 1960s.

We normally wouldn't preview an auction this far in advance, but figure our readership might need a little advance warning of the opportunity.

Also included in the find which forms "The Broughs of Bodmin Moor" Collection are:

This 1938 Brough Superior 982 cc SS100 Project is estimated to sell for £60,000 to £80,000 (US$91,000 to $120,000)
This 1938 Brough Superior 982 cc SS100 Project is estimated to sell for £60,000 to £80,000 (US$91,000 to $120,000)

1938 Brough Superior 982 cc SS100 Project

Estimate: £60,000-80,000

This 1926 Brough Superior SS100 Frame is estimated to sell for£30,000 to £40,000 (US$45,000 to $61,000)
This 1926 Brough Superior SS100 Frame is estimated to sell for£30,000 to £40,000 (US$45,000 to $61,000)

1926 Brough Superior SS100

Estimate: £30,000-40,000

This 1938 Brough Superior 982 cc SS80 Project with Petrol Tube Sidecar is estimated to sell for £22,000 to £32,000 (US$33,000 and $48,000)
This 1938 Brough Superior 982 cc SS80 Project with Petrol Tube Sidecar is estimated to sell for £22,000 to £32,000 (US$33,000 and $48,000)

1938 Brough Superior 982 cc SS80 Project with Petrol Tube Sidecar

Estimate: £22,000-32,000

This 1939 Brough Superior 982 cc SS80 Project is estimated to sell for £20,000 and £30,000 (US$30,000 and $45,000)
This 1939 Brough Superior 982 cc SS80 Project is estimated to sell for £20,000 and £30,000 (US$30,000 and $45,000)

1939 Brough Superior 982 cc SS80 Project

Estimate: £20,000-30,000

1938 Brough Superior 1,096 cc 11-50HP Project is estimated to sell for £16,000 to £22,000 (US$24,000 to $33,000)
1938 Brough Superior 1,096 cc 11-50HP Project is estimated to sell for £16,000 to £22,000 (US$24,000 to $33,000)

1938 Brough Superior 1,096 cc 11-50HP Project

Estimate: £16,000-22,000

This 1937 Brough Superior 982 cc SS80 Project is estimated to sell for between US$9,100 and $12,000
This 1937 Brough Superior 982 cc SS80 Project is estimated to sell for between US$9,100 and $12,000

1937 Brough Superior 982 cc SS80 Project

Estimate: £6,000-8,000

This 1936 Brough Superior SS80 Project is estimated to sell for £6,000 to £8,000 (US$9,100 to $12,000)
This 1936 Brough Superior SS80 Project is estimated to sell for £6,000 to £8,000 (US$9,100 to $12,000)

1936 Brough Superior 982 cc SS80 Project

Estimate: £6,000-8,000

View gallery - 30 images
2 comments
2 comments
gizmowiz
The 'American Pickers' crew is pinching themselves for not getting there first.
bergamot69
Probably the most famous (non racer) owner of a Brough Superior was TE Lawrence- and in the film Lawrence of Arabia Peter O'Toole is seen riding one at the very beginning, replicating the famous crash that took Lawrence's life (although there were conspiracy theories that claimed that he didn't die).