CAFÉ RACER 76

vendredi 5 juillet 2013

BROUGH SUPERIOR PENDINE

Pendine Sands is one of the most evocative names in the annals of British motorcycle history. In the 1920s the seven-mile (11 km) beach on the south coast of Wales hosted the Welsh TT races and no less than five successful land speed record attempts.

A few days ago, the beach was abuzz once more with the sound of engines. It was the occasion of the revitalized Pendine Speed Trials, and one of the most interesting vehicles there was this ‘new’ Brough Superior SS101 ‘Pendine’.

A British businessman called Mark Upham—who is based in Austria—now owns the rights to the Brough Superior name. And he’s aiming to revitalise the brand. Upham took this ‘Pendine’ model to the Speed Trials that inspired its name, with a British TV crew in tow. The bike was ridden by Eric Patterson, himself a land speed record holder at the BUB Speed Trials at Bonneville Salt Flats.

The market for hand-built motorcycles like this is tiny, and current Brough Superior production is even tinier. But it’s refreshing to see the bikes being made again, and to quality standards that honor the traditional “Rolls Royce of motorcycles” nickname.

Price and availability aside, I’d say this is one of the most desirable motorcycles in the world.

For a run-down on the technical specs and what it is like to ride, head over to The Vintagent.

from BIKEEXIF

1958 LISTER-JAGUAR ‘KNOBBLY’ PROTOTYPE

This is one of the two original 1958 Lister-Jaguar ‘Knobbly’ Prototypes, the pair of Lister-Jaguars were ordered right off the factory floor by legendary American racer, Briggs Cunningham. The Listers were fitted with SCCA compliant, 3 litre XK Jaguar engine, this created a car that was 200lbs lighter than the D-Type Jaguar, with better weight distribution and better handling.

There was only one problem. A problem that surfaced at the first race it entered, the Sebring 12-Hours. Within the first hour, both of the Jaguar engined Listers had suffered burnt out pistons – all of the other cars with the XK engine suffered the same failure. It was an embarrassing debacle for Jaguar and was quickly rectified before the beginning of the 1958 SCCA season.

1958 Lister Jaguar Knobbly Prototype 2 1958 Lister Jaguar Knobbly Prototype

The Lister-Jaguar ‘Knobbly’ had its engine removed and bored out to 3,781cc, new pistons were fitted and the car kept its 3 Weber 45 DCOE carburettors and DOHC. In this new guise the Knobby produced 354hp, this was more than enough power for the light-weight car and the Briggs Cunningham team took the title for the C-Modified class in 1958 with no less than 11 victories in 16 races, 10 of which were had at the hands of Walt Hansgen.

The Lister-Jaguar you see here is heading for the auction platform at Monterey on the 16th of August 2013, there’s no listed reserve or estimated price but if that doesn’t frighten you, you can click here to visit the official auction page and register your interest.