A MAJOR carmaker’s “first in history” motorbike is set to sell for a whopping £200,000.
The model was first unveiled in 2019 as an exclusive collaboration with a historic motorcycle manufacturer.
Aston MartinAston Martin’s first-ever motorcycle is up for sale[/caption]
Aston MartinThe AMC 001 Pro could fetch more than £200,000[/caption]
ReutersThe model is a collaboration with legendary bike makers Brough Superior[/caption]
With only 88 ever made, the bike is a unique project from the legendary bike brand Brough Superior.
Brough was a cult classic manufacturer that operated for just over 30 years running up to the Second World War.
It produced some of the most iconic and best-loved models of the 1930s before collapsing.
Originals are still worth in the region of £80-100,000 today.
Brough Superior: a history
Brough was established in 1908 in Nottingham by William E. Brough.
The company made small-batch bikes up until 1926, when it was taken over by William’s son George.
A racer and accomplished designer, George aimed to improve the quality of its output, bringing in the Superior tag for the lineup.
Every Superior was assembled twice, with the parts fitted then removed to be hand-painted before being replaced, and all were personally certified by George himself.
They immediately became popular with Britain’s elite, especially as one cost the equivalent of £5,000 today.
Indeed, the legendary Lawrence of Arabia owned eight Superiors over his lifetime.
The first was called Boa after the Biblical figure Boarnerges while the remaining seven were all named George after the corresponding kings.
George VII (the only one to be named after a King who had not yet taken the throne) was actually the bike died on when he crashed in Dorset in 1935 aged 46.
Brough ceased production in 1940 when its factory was taken over to produce engines for fighter planes and shut down after the war.
The brand was revived in 2013 by Frenchman Thierry Henriette and has produced new Superior models since 2016.
However, a 2013 revival has now culminated in a crossover with one of the most prestigious names in the world of motoring.
According to the listing, the AMB 001 Pro represents “the first time in history that Aston Martin has put its name on a motorcycle”.
Mark Bryan of Iconic Auctioneers added: “Developed by Aston Martin and Brough Superior with the aim of redefining perfection by using two companies known for their expertise…the AMB 001 PRO has a power-to-weight ratio similar to a Formula 1 car
“The bikes are hand-crafted at the Brough Superior facility in Toulouse in France and take up to two years from order to delivery.
“Only 88 examples were scheduled to be built.”
This particular one is number eight of that production run and comes finished in a special Aston Martin racing livery.
It is the first of its kind to be imported to the UK and has “never turned a wheel”, having only been started to see how the engine runs.
And despite its £200,000 guide price, it could be a real bargain as it’s “highly collectable and a future classic“.
However, the lucky buyer won’t exactly be able to use it for their daily drive.
In fact, it can’t really take you anywhere as it is strictly “track-only”, according to Aston.
While the company doesn’t elaborate on this, it likely means that it’s not road legal.
The bike will be sold as part of Iconic’s Shuttleworth Auction.
Prospective owners can bid online or in person in Shuttleworth, Bedfordshire from 11am on April 7.
Aston MartinThe bike is said to have a power-to-weight ratio similar to that of an F1 car[/caption]
Aston MartinHowever, it’s sadly not road legal[/caption]