Key Facts:
- A rare 1933 Brough Superior SS 100 motorcycle sold for $338,000 at Donington Auctions, making it the highest price paid for a motorcycle at auction in Australia for more than a decade and the most valuable British motorcycle ever sold at auction in the country.
- One of only seven hand-built in 1933, the motorcycle was secured by a private Australian collector who cited the machine's Australian history and provenance as key factors in the purchase.
- The Brough Superior SS 100 is widely regarded as the 'Rolls-Royce' of motorcycles, famously associated with Colonel T.E. Lawrence ('Lawrence of Arabia'), with just 283 ever made, each built to order and guaranteed to exceed 100 mph.
- The motorcycle's history includes its first UK owner in early 1933, arrival in Australia around 1960, years stored in a wine cellar, restoration by a South Australian collector, a period in New Zealand, and return to Australia in 2023.
- The result means Donington Auctions has now been responsible for three of the top four motorcycle auction sale prices ever achieved in Australia.
Rewriting the record books, a rare 1933 Brough Superior SS 100 motorcycle was sold today for $338,000 by Donington Auctions.
The highest price paid for a motorcycle at auction in Australia for more than a decade, the Donington Auction result also set a new benchmark as the most valuable British motorcycle ever sold at auction here.
It was also a new Australian auction record for the legendary British marque.
One of just seven hand-built in 1933, this was the first time a Brough Superior SS 100 had been offered at auction here in over three decades.
Star of Donington's on-line 'Classic & Vintage Motorcycle Auction' which concluded today, the Brough Superior SS 100 was the subject of a spirited bidding war among enthusiasts before the hammer fell.
A private Australian collector ultimately secured the motorcycle, citing the machine's Australian history and provenance as key factors behind the purchase.
It was also the second highest price ever paid for a motorcycle at auction in this country, and means Donington Auctions has now been responsible for three of the top four motorcycle auction sale prices achieved in this country.
Made famous as the motorcycle model ridden by Englishman Colonel T.E Lawrence – better known as 'Lawrence of Arabia' – the Brough Superior SS 100 is widely regarded by collectors as the 'Rolls-Royce' of motorcycles.
Just 283 were ever made, each built to order, powered by a 1000cc V-twin engine in a double-cradle frame, and sold with a guarantee of 100 mph plus performance.
Donington Auctions' example went to its first UK owner in early 1933, before coming to Australia around 1960. After many years stored in a wine cellar, it was restored by a noted South Australian collector, then sold to New Zealand, before returning to Australia in the hands of the vendor in 2023.
"Today's exceptional result highlights the ongoing strength of the collector motorcycle market, with rare and historically significant machines continuing to attract strong competition from enthusiasts and collectors alike, despite broader economic uncertainty," Donington Auctions' Cameron Sabine said.
"On behalf of our clients, we are delighted to have once again set new Australian auction records."
A premium European-style auction house, Donington Auctions is Australia's largest auctioneer of classic automotive items.
Donington Auctions' team of principal and consultant specialists has more than 100 years' combined market expertise in vintage and veteran, classic and collectible cars and motorcycles, single-owner collections, and automotive memorabilia and ephemera.
