A RARE unrestored 1930 “Rolls Royce of Motorcycles” is expected to fetch around £350,000 at auction when it goes under the hammer next month.

Hindhead-based H&H Classics is auctioning the Brough Superior with sidecar, registration TV2003, at the Imperial War Museum, at Duxford, on Tuesday, April 19, with an estimate of £280,000 to £350,000.

The marque is forever associated with ‘Lawrence of Arabia’, as T E Lawrence bought one of the first SS 100s in 1925, and the crash that killed him came while riding another SS 100, on a narrow road in 1935.

George Beale, director of H&H Classic Motorcycles, said: “The fact this magnificent motorcycle is unrestored only adds to its attractiveness for specialist collectors who might decide to restore or, indeed leave it in its present good condition much as it left the factory 86 years ago. It has been owned by just four previous owners, the last, Frank Solano has loved and used it on many rallies for the past 26 years.”

A total of 283 SS 100 models were produced from 1925 to 1934 and only 131 are known to have survived.

It is possible Frank’s bike was the only motorcycle to have left the works with a sidecar fitted.