George Brough
Encyclopedia
George Brough (21 April 1890–1969), was a motorcycle racer, world record holding motorcycle
and automobile
manufacturer, and showman. He was known for his powerful and expensive Brough Superior
motorcycles which were the first superbikes. George died in 1969 but his legacy lives on in the many Brough Superior motorcycles maintained in perfect condition by enthusiasts to this day.
on 21 April 1890. William Brough had been building motorcycles at his factory in Nottingham
since the 1890s so it was expected that George and his brother would both join in the family business.
George wanted to develop his father's business and make high performance motorcycles. His father was not convinced, however, so George set up his own factory nearby in 1919 at Haydn Road in Nottingham to produce what he called the Brough Superior
range of motorcycles and motor cars. The name Superior was suggested by a friend but his father reputedly took it personally. George's motorcycles lived up to the claim, however, and he brought together the best components he could find and added distincive styling details. He also had a flair for marketing and in 1922 rode a Brough Superior SS80
which he called Spit and Polish at Brooklands
. managing an unofficial 100 mph (160.9 km/h) lap.
Approximately 3,048 motorcycles of 19 different models were made in 21 years of production. All Brough Superior motorcycles were high performance and superior quality. Most were custom built to specific customers requirements and rarely were any two of the same configuration. Each motorcycle was assembled twice. The first assembly was for fitting of all components, then the motorcycle was disassembled and all parts were painted or plated as needed, then the finished parts were assembled a final time. Every motorcycle was test ridden to ensure that it performed to specification, and was personally certified by George Brough. The SS100 model was ridden at 100 mph or more prior to delivery. The SS80 model was ridden at 80 mph (128.7 km/h) or more before delivery. If any motorcycle didn't meet specification, it returned to the shop for rework until it performed properly.
In 1929 a Brough SS100 was purchased by Sir William Lyons
who two years later applied the same name to his own first four wheeled vehicle
, much to Brough's disgruntlement at the time, though the two later became close friends. It is fair to recall that "S" and "S" were the first two initials of the Swallow Sidecar Company
which Lyons had co-founded back in 1923.
In 1940, World War II brought an end to production as the factory was turned over to produce munitions. After hostilities had ceased there were no suitable engines available so the company was wound up. In 2004, around 1,000 still existed, maintained by enthusiasts in perfect working order.
, unofficially the world's fastest speed on a solo motorcycle.
Motorcycle
A motorcycle is a single-track, two-wheeled motor vehicle. Motorcycles vary considerably depending on the task for which they are designed, such as long distance travel, navigating congested urban traffic, cruising, sport and racing, or off-road conditions.Motorcycles are one of the most...
and automobile
Automobile
An automobile, autocar, motor car or car is a wheeled motor vehicle used for transporting passengers, which also carries its own engine or motor...
manufacturer, and showman. He was known for his powerful and expensive Brough Superior
Brough Superior
Brough Superior motorcycles, sidecars, and motor cars were made by George Brough in his Brough Superior works on Haydn Road in Nottingham, England, from 1919 to 1940. They were dubbed the "Rolls-Royce of Motorcycles" by H. D. Teague of The Motor Cycle newspaper. Approximately 3,048 of 19 models...
motorcycles which were the first superbikes. George died in 1969 but his legacy lives on in the many Brough Superior motorcycles maintained in perfect condition by enthusiasts to this day.
Early life
George was the second son of motorcycle pioneer William Edward Brough and was born at 10 Mandalay Street, Basford, NottinghamBasford, Nottingham
Basford is a suburb in northern Nottingham. Basford parish was absorbed into Nottingham in 1877. It gave its name to the Basford Rural District which existed from 1894 to 1974....
on 21 April 1890. William Brough had been building motorcycles at his factory in Nottingham
Nottingham
Nottingham is a city and unitary authority in the East Midlands of England. It is located in the ceremonial county of Nottinghamshire and represents one of eight members of the English Core Cities Group...
since the 1890s so it was expected that George and his brother would both join in the family business.
Business
Brough Superior
Brough Superior motorcycles, sidecars, and motor cars were made by George Brough in his Brough Superior works on Haydn Road in Nottingham, England, from 1919 to 1940. They were dubbed the "Rolls-Royce of Motorcycles" by H. D. Teague of The Motor Cycle newspaper. Approximately 3,048 of 19 models...
range of motorcycles and motor cars. The name Superior was suggested by a friend but his father reputedly took it personally. George's motorcycles lived up to the claim, however, and he brought together the best components he could find and added distincive styling details. He also had a flair for marketing and in 1922 rode a Brough Superior SS80
Brough Superior SS80
The Brough Superior SS80 was a motorcycle designed and built by George Brough in Nottingham UK in 1924. Described by The Motor Cycle as "The Rolls-Royce of Motor Cycles", production ended with the outbreak of World War II in 1939.-Development:...
which he called Spit and Polish at Brooklands
Brooklands
Brooklands was a motor racing circuit and aerodrome built near Weybridge in Surrey, England. It opened in 1907, and was the world's first purpose-built motorsport venue, as well as one of Britain's first airfields...
. managing an unofficial 100 mph (160.9 km/h) lap.
In 1929 a Brough SS100 was purchased by Sir William Lyons
William Lyons
Sir William Lyons , known as "Mr. Jaguar", was with fellow motorcycle enthusiast William Walmsley, the co-founder in 1922 of the Swallow Sidecar Company, which became Jaguar Cars Limited after the Second World War....
who two years later applied the same name to his own first four wheeled vehicle
SS 1
The SS1 was a British sports car first built by the Swallow Sidecar Company in Coventry, England. It was first presented at the 1931 London Motor Show and was produced between 1932 and 1936...
, much to Brough's disgruntlement at the time, though the two later became close friends. It is fair to recall that "S" and "S" were the first two initials of the Swallow Sidecar Company
Swallow Sidecar Company
The Swallow Sidecar Company was founded on 4 September 1922 by two friends, William Walmsley and William Lyons . Both families lived in the same street in Blackpool, England. Walmsley had previously been making sidecars and bolting them onto reconditioned motorcycles...
which Lyons had co-founded back in 1923.
In 1940, World War II brought an end to production as the factory was turned over to produce munitions. After hostilities had ceased there were no suitable engines available so the company was wound up. In 2004, around 1,000 still existed, maintained by enthusiasts in perfect working order.
Racing career
In 1928, George Brough recorded the speed of 130.6 mph (210.2 km/h) at ArpajonArpajon
Arpajon is a commune in the Essonne department in Île-de-France in northern France.Seat of the canton, the commune is located south of Paris, accessible by the N20, and to in the north of Étampes...
, unofficially the world's fastest speed on a solo motorcycle.