Bonhams Unveils a Captivating Lineup of Holy Grail Motorcycles Rapidly Rolling in to Their Highly Anticipated Autumn Stafford Sale

THE AUTUMN STAFFORD SALE AT THE CLASSIC MOTORCYCLE MECHANICS SHOW, 12-13 OCTOBER 2024 

June 29, 2024 – (Motor Sports NewsWire) – Every enthusiast and collector dreams of unearthing a hidden gem in a barn or garage, and Bonhams recent discovery is among the most thrilling: a 1928 Brough Superior SS100 Alpine Grand Sport (estimate £140,000-180,000). Bonhams has long been renowned for its sale of significant Brough Superior motorcycles, the same marque that Lawrence of Arabia famously rode, having achieved over £12 million in sales of this exclusive marque in the UK alone, including the legendary Broughs of Bodmin Moor which captivated the motorcycling world in 2016. This latest find, hidden away by its secretive owner, has remained untouched for decades until recently being brought to light. Once air was pumped into its tyres, it effortlessly rolled out of its garage, and now awaits a new owner to cherish, enjoy and ride it as its maker intended. What sets this particular example apart is its status as a matching-numbers model of one of the most coveted motorcycles in existence, complemented by a rich and varied history.

George Brough supplied the machine to Shell Mex Ltd, the registered keeper being one Malcolm Vincent Amble, Chief Motor Engineer at Shell Marketing Ltd., likely using it as a company vehicle or for promotional purposes. In 1931, it was sold to P Platts in Manchester, possibly Percy Platt of Oldham. Notably, Clem Beckett, an Oldham-based speedway rider, trade unionist, and Communist Party member, also owned this machine (registration YV 5550). Beckett, a wall of death rider and renowned speedway champion, founded the Dirt Track Riders’ Association and later fought in the Spanish Civil War for the International Brigade, where he died giving covering fire for his comrades during the Battle of Jarama in 1937.

Another notable owner (referenced in a 1955 Motor Cycle article) was Harold L Biggs, the well-known pre-war mechanic who worked on, amongst other vehicles, Sir Henry Segrave’s supercharged 2-litre Sunbeam. During Harry Muckalt’s ownership in the 1950s, he rebuilt and modified the engine, fitting KTOR cylinders and enhancing its capacity to 1,134cc. Subsequently, the motorcycle passed to BS Club members John Lemon and Peter Robinson before the late owner acquired it in 1982 for £2,400, keeping it mostly hidden until it was exhumed from its resting place earlier this year.

Now offered fresh to the market, this enigmatic…