Brough Superior (United Kingdom)

Brough Superior was a British automotive manufacturer that operated from 1935 to 1939, primarily known for its association with high-quality motorcycles. Founded by George Brough in Nottingham, the company was often referred to as "The Rolls-Royce of Motorcycles," a phrase that Brough claimed was endorsed by Rolls-Royce, although it was actually a quotation from a journalist. The motorcycles produced by Brough Superior were characterized by their use of proprietary components, a distinctive fuel tank design, and a flair for showmanship.

In the realm of automobiles, Brough Superior's offerings were similarly assembled from existing components. The company began producing cars in 1935, utilizing Hudson chassis, which were purchased for £85. The coachbuilder Atcherley was contracted to fit these chassis with custom four-seat drophead bodies for an additional £125. The cars featured innovations such as automatic chassis lubrication and built-in jacks, although claims regarding engine tuning were often met with skepticism.

The Brough Superior lineup included models such as the 4-litre cars produced between 1935 and 1936, which were equipped with a 4,168 cc straight-eight Hudson engine. However, due to objections from Railton, which also used the same engine, Brough had to switch to the Hudson Six, featuring a 3,455 cc six-cylinder engine and a shorter chassis. The Brough 3.5-litre model was notable for its optional Centric supercharger, which was claimed to enable speeds of up to 99 mph. A lighter variant, known as the Alpine, was also produced, with approximately 70 Hudson-powered cars manufactured in total.

In 1938, Brough introduced the larger Brough XII, which featured a Charlesworth body and a 4,387 cc Lincoln V12 engine, along with a chassis designed by Brough himself. Despite its attractive design, the Brough XII was criticized for being heavy, slow, and expensive, with only one unit produced. Following the cessation of car production in 1939, Brough shifted his focus to precision engineering.