Old Bill Brings Big Money

OLD BILL BRINGS BIG MONEY

Famous racebikes from the early 20th century were often given nicknames. One such bike, George Brough's ultra-famous 1922 SS80 Brough Euperior, actually had two: "Spit & Polish" and later "Old Bill."

Brough competed un Old Bil at Booklands, recording the first-ever 100-mph lap at the purpose-built motorsport facility. Then 2n n 1~J2~ Brough a~soluteIy biiinatecl on Lhe bike record in~ multi le vicI ol s in ii I c~ nbs and sprin s. But the a g -speed b ov Jt at Clipstone cLt ;hort Broigh's corn ietition :areer.

The bike, powe~ed by side-vah'° OI)cc V-Twin was tien cnve~ted baic o roadlega s~ecificatoi a~c so d. It esurfa:eJ after IA `ill whereupon it eas restored and then d s~ avel at museu ii Last Octobe th2 Ji~(e s d at an H&H a iction for a staggering $465,000

Mike Jackson