2nd place in the 1927 Ulster Grand Prix; single family ownership since 1972; one of 12 known survivors, 1925 Brough Superior 981cc SS100

• First owned by Bob Matthews, the 'Bangor Boat'
• Specially tuned for competition purposes by the Brough factory
• Considerable in-period competition history
• Present family ownership since 1972
• Professionally restored by recognised specialists
• Extensively campaigned
• History file available

The 1925 Brough Superior SS100 offered here is a machine of exceptional provenance, historical significance, and originality. One of only 12 original SS100s from 1925 known to survive, it retains its matching frame, engine and gearbox, as well as boasting a rich racing history.

Delivered on 27th March 1925, this SS100 was, per the works card, "Specially tuned for Competition Work and long distances" by the factory, including a unique all-petrol fuel tank to maximize range for long-distance races. (At this time the standard SS80 and SS100 fuel tanks contained petrol and oil.) It was also fitted with a separate oil tank beneath the saddle (probably the first time two tanks had been used on a Brough), a pioneering feature that later became standard on the Alpine Grand Sports model introduced in late 1925.

Dispatched to Sam Wallace of Belfast, Brough Superior's Irish agent, it was destined for Bob Matthews, a well-known racer in Ireland in the 1920s. Known locally as the 'Bangor Boat' due to his imposing stature (18 stone), Matthews campaigned this SS100 with great success. Among its many notable achievements was 2nd place in the 1927 Ulster Grand Prix.
Bob was a plumber who had a shop on Dufferin Avenue, Bangor. He rode throughout the 1920s on New Imperial and Sunbeam machines as well as the Brough. According to the vendor, the Brough went back to works in 1926/27 to have a big-end assembly with hollow crankpin fitted (probably by JAP).

Its racing career over, the SS100 saw road use in the 1930s but was damaged in an accident circa 1939. The Brough remained in storage for nearly three decades (see 'as found' photographs on file showing the bent forks) before being purchased in 1966 by Cecil K (Kenny) Irvine of Lisburn, County Antrim, from a Robert McCracken. It was purchased by the vendor's father in 1972. A 1974 letter on file from Fred Hill of Newtownabbey, County Antrim, states that he saw the bike laid up in a County Down barn, leaning against a wall covered with a old sack.

The price paid was £370 (receipt on file – written on the reverse of the 1966 purchase receipt) and Mr Irvine states he would not be selling the machine but for the fact that he bought a farm and was in the process of selling his machinery in order to purchase stock. Purchased at the same time was a box of new-old-stock spares containing cylinders, barrels, pistons, cams and followers - brand new and still with the JAP tie-on label on them - while smaller parts were still in a little muslin JAP bag. including cylinder barrels and pistons, still in greaseproof paper and with labels attached. According to a letter on file, they were retrieved from the loft where Bob Matthews had left them.

There is a letter on file from Kenny Irvine to the vendor's father advising that his 1925 SS100 is for sale. He also sent 'as found' photographs (on file) and stated: 'since which time the frame, handlebars, and front wheel have been rebuilt by A E Oliver'. The latter was Andrew Oliver of Alfreton Road, Sherwood, Nottingham (owner of Cromwell bikes), who specialised in repairing Broughs having worked at the factory in the 1930s. The tank had been rebuilt by Skegness Sheet Metal Works (NB: the original tank number according to the works card was '1050'. However, we do not believe it was the original as '1050' had an oil compartment (the number of the tank fitted is '1812'). A new front mudguard and magneto shield came from Club spares, while a complete new reinforced front fork with steel fabricated bottom links was fitted and all nickel plating renewed. A Triumph Tiger front brake was fitted also (the original racing front hub comes with the machine).

The SS100 has been painstakingly restored, the engine being rebuilt by Ron Lewis and the cosmetic work entrusted to Tony Cripps. Since then it has been regularly used both on the road and in sprint events, obtaining a delightful patina, almost as if it had just come off the track! Venues/events attended included the Kop hill climb, Betteshanger Park sprint, and Brooklands. (There are scrutineering stickers from various events present, including the 2014 Kop hill climb.) Ron Lewis has continued to maintain the engine for the vendor, rebuilding it twice using the aforementioned new-old-stock parts. The vendor advises the Brough has been a reliable and usable motorcycle ever since, attending numerous events over the years.

This SS100 is presented today as a superb example of early Brough Superior engineering, with its factory competition tuning and remarkable originality. Accompanied by evocative history and benefiting from long-term family ownership, it represents an unmissable opportunity. Key not required.

Selected Bob Matthews race results:

1925
Saturday May 9th. Magilligan Strand sand races:
One Mile Flying Start – 3rd
50 Mile National Championship – 7th overall & 2nd over 600cc class
50 Mile Handicap – 17th

Saturday May 23rd. Magilligan Strand sand races:
Very, very wet day, and 'slow' ebb tide left huge pools of water on the course.
5 Mile scratch race unlimited (i.e. over 600cc) – 2nd
10 Mile Amateur Handicap – 2nd
75 Mile Scratch Championship – 1st
75 Mile Handicap – 5th
A contemporary report stated: "He came home in the 75-miler, putting up a bow wave like a destroyer with a bone in its teeth, that an official at the finish line was heard to say, 'Here comes the Bangor Boat!'"

Saturday June 6th. Belfast & District M.C. 12 Hours Reliability Trial:
One stop only – Silver Medal

Wednesday July 1st. Dungannon '100' – 100 Mile Road Race:
Off the scratch mark – 5th on handicap overall & 3rd fastest finisher on
Scratch.

Saturday July 4th. Ballynahinch '60' – 60 Mile Road Race:
Off the Scratch Mark – rear brake lever sheared off, retired.

Thursday July 9th. Cookstown '70' – 70 Mile Road Race:
On the scratch mark, but non-started.

Saturday September 19th. Magilligan Strand sand races:
5 Mile scratch race – 1st in unlimited class.
100 Mile Championship of Ulster unlimited class – 1st.
100 Mile Handicap – 7th.

1926

Monday April 5th. Belfast & Dist. M.C. Red Brae hill climb:
Run on handicap 'knockout' principle: two runners at a time on the hill together. Bob was beaten in the second round.

Saturday May 1st. Magilligan Strand sand races:
10 Mile Handicap – 3rd off the scratch mark.
50 Mile Ulster & Irish Championship – over 500cc Class – 1st
50 Mile Handicap – 3rd

Wednesday July 7th. Dungannon '100' Mile Road Race:
5th on handicap, off the scratch mark, and 3rd fastest finisher on scratch timing.

Saturday August 7th. Leinster '100' 100 Mile Road Race:
Off scratch in overall handicap, fell off and retired on Lap 7. Machine reported as 'wrecked'.

Saturday September 4th. Ulster Grand Prix:
Entered, but no trace that he started. Machine still being rebuilt, perhaps?

Saturday September 18th. Randalstown hill climb:
Fastest Time of Day.

Saturday September 25th. Magilligan Strand sand races:
10 Mile Handicap – 2nd off scratch mark.
100 Mile Championship of Ireland – 1st over 500cc Class
100 Mile Championship of Ulster – 1st over 500cc Class
100 Mile Handicap, Unlimited Capacity – 2nd off scratch mark

1927

Ulster Grand Prix – 2nd. See below link to film, 45 secs – No. 74.
https://www.britishpathe.com/asset/62172/
Key not required