Motorcycle history is filled with legendary names, but few stories are as compelling as the rivalry between William E. Brough and his ambitious son, George Brough. What began as a shared passion for two-wheeled engineering soon became a battle of vision and legacy.
In this blog, we explore the history behind one of the most prestigious motorcycle brands ever created – Brough Superior.
The Father: William E. Brough
The story of Brough Superior motorcycles begins with William E. Brough, a visionary engineer and motorcycle manufacturer in Nottingham, England. In the late 19th and 20th centuries, William built a reputation for crafting high-quality motorcycles under the Brough name. His designs were practical and reliable, earning the respect of early motorcycling enthusiasts. Known for their sturdy build and dependable performance, his motorcycles laid the foundation for what was to come.
The Son: George Brough
Born into a world of motorcycles, George Brough was destined for the industry. However, while he inherited his father’s passion for engineering, he had even greater ambitions – to create the world’s finest motorcycles, not just dependable ones. This pursuit of perfection created a deep divide between father and son. William was content with producing solid, well-made motorcycles, but George wanted to push the boundaries of speed, luxury and prestige.
As disagreements escalated, George became determined to forge his own path. When his father refused to make the changes he envisioned, George declared “I will create my own brand and it will be superior”. True to his word in 1919, he established Brough Superior in Nottingham, adding the word Superior to distinguish his machines from his father’s. This name wasn’t just a marketing ploy; it was a promise of excellence.
The Birth of Brough Superior
George’s Brough Superior motorcycles quickly earned the title ‘the Rolls-Royce of motorcycles.’ Every motorcycle was custom-built to suit individual customer preferences, resulting in an incredible variety of configurations – no two were exactly alike. Hand-assembled from the finest materials and subjected to rigorous testing, these motorcycles became highly sought after by enthusiasts and collectors.
Unlike his father’s practical machines, George’s designs prioritised both speed and luxury. Any motorcycle that failed to meet the strict performance standards underwent meticulous rework until it was perfected.
Big Names and Broken Records
Brough Superior motorcycles weren’t just exquisite – they were fast. One of their most famous riders was T.E. Lawrence, better known as Lawrence of Arabia, who owned multiple Brough Superiors in his lifetime. In 1927 he rode his Brough Superior 200 miles from London to his home in Dorset, completing the journey in just four and a half hours, an impressive feat for the time.
Another key rider in Brough Superior’s history was Eric Fernihough, one of the most successful riders of his time, who used Brough Superiors to set multiple world records. In 1927, he set the world speed record for a motorcycle, reaching a remarkable speed of 122.38mph on a Brough Superior. Then, in 1938, riding a specially tuned Brough Superior, he set a land-speed record of 169.79mph in Hungary – an astonishing feat for the time.
The Legacy
The rivalry between father and son gave rise to one of the most iconic motorcycle brands in history. While William’s company eventually faded, George’s Brough Superior became synonymous with speed, elegance and exclusivity. Today, Brough Superior motorcycles remain highly sought after, with original models fetching record-breaking prices at auctions. The legacy of the Brough rivalry and the exceptional machines it produced continues to captivate enthusiasts and collectors alike.
At Solo Classics, we have a collection of Brough and Brough superior motorcycles available for viewing. If you would like to explore these iconic machines and learn more about their rich history, get in touch today.