brough superior

The Brough Superior, the Steed that Helped Liberate Arabia, Rides Again

Wealthy romantics rejoice: the Brough Superior is back. If that name doesn't mean anything to you, how about this one: T. E. Lawrence, more exotically referred to as Lawrence of Arabia. The Brough Superior motorcycle, manufactured between 1919 and 1940, were so cherished by him that he owned eight, and died on that last one. At the time they cost around £150 when new, which was supposedly more than a house. They lasted about as long as well: 3,000 were made, 1,000 of them are still running.

Those thousand are about to have company, since the company has been bought and restarted production on the original Brough Superior. The new, handmade-in-England Superiors and exact replicas of those first Superiors, down to the 60-cubic-inch V-twin engine, lack of electronics, 55 miles per gallon, and 100-mile-per-hour top speed. The dearer-than-a-house price has come down, too: you'll spend at least £120,000 ($183,607 U.S.) to get one built for your pleasure. If your love of nostalgia doesn't go that far, there's always a Brough Superior t-shirt for £14.50 ($21.80 U.S.). It's what T. E. would have worn...

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Tags: brough, brough superior, lawrence of arabia, motorcycle

Vintage Motorcycles to be Showcased at Pebble Beach for the First Time

by Noah Joseph (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Luxury Cars & Autos, Events, The Classicist

The annual Legend of the Motorcycle concours may have been canceled for 2009, but classic two-wheel motor aficionados have good cause to take heart as the organizers of the Pebble Beach Concours d'Elegance have announced that, for the first time in the event's history – now spanning nearly six decades – classic motorbikes will be included.

Citing an increased enthusiasm for vintage motorcycles and the important role they played in the development of the automobile, organizers of the annual event, considered one of the most prestigious in America, have opened this summer's event for British motorbikes produced before 1959. Show-goers can expect to see a wide array of Triumphs, Nortons, Vincents and more, including the example pictured above on which legendary rider Rollie Free set the land speed record at the Bonneville salt flats in 1948, clocking in at 150 mph wearing nothing more than a bathing suit, swim cap and sneakers.

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