Lawrence of Arabia’s Brough Superior SS 100 to star at Bristol bike show

PRICE £180 in 1929 – at least £500,000 today (if you can find one for sale)

ENERGY 50 hp

TOP SPEED 100 mph minimum, certified by manufacturer

FUEL CAPACITY 4 gallons

VERDICT Outstanding looks and spirited starting and running characteristics guarantee a journey full of character. But a Lawrence connection even transcends the Brough Superior seal of approval, so being in the presence of this bike just feels special.

TELEGRAPHIC REVIEW Five stars out of five

THE Rivals

Brough Superior SS100, £49,999

In production since 2016, this handcrafted 21st-century version of the legendary V-Twin comes at a hefty price tag that buys class and exclusivity, but without the raw appeal of the original.

Vincent Black Shadow from £25,000

The top-of-the-line Black Shadow was produced from 1948 to 1955. Identical in displacement and configuration to the 1929 Brough Superior SS 100, it could exceed 120 mph in standard trim.

Harley-Davidson Sport Glide, £15,295

The famous American manufacturer still uses air-cooled V-twins in its large-displacement roadsters, with the Sport Glide powered by a fuel-injected 1,746 cc eight-valve engine developing 82 hp.

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