AllMoto's Motorcycle Investor mag

Motorcycle Investor mag

Subscribe to our free email news

Brough Superior sets auction record

Highest price paid in Australia for a British motorcycle

June 1, 2026

The motorcycle market may be a little down at the moment, but there is still money out there for premium lots

A 1933 Brough Superior SS 100 yesterday set the highest price paid for a motorcycle at auction in Australia for more than a decade. The Donington Auction result of Au$338,000 (US$243,000, GB£180,000, €208,000) also set a new benchmark as the most valuable British motorcycle ever sold here at auction.

Ed's note: this excludes the Au$1.3m (US$929,000, GB£690,000, €801,000) paid for the Australian-owned Ehret Vincent Black Lightning. That price was achieved in a Bonhams Las Vegas sale in 2018.

The Brough sale was 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.

A private Australian collector ultimately secured the motorcycle, citing the machine’s
local history and provenance as key factors behind the purchase.

Made famous as the motorcycle model ridden by Englishman Colonel TE Lawrence
– better known as ‘Lawrence of Arabia’ – the Brough Superior SS 100 built up a legend for being 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.

This 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.

More results

A 1980 Honda CBX1000 with aftermarket pipes and in need of recommissioning went for Au$20,000 (US$14,000, GB£10,700, €12,300).

This attractive and running 1956 Ariel Square four (the 997cc engine) with rare Steib S 250 sidecar was solid buying at Au$20,400 (US$15,000, GB£11.000, €12,600).