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Have we reached the peak of the Zombie Brand craze? Or maybe,
this is a new low? Either way, we’ve got the new Bert le Vack special-edition bike from Brough Superior.
Brough Superior, as it originally existed from 1919 through 1940, was one of the world’s most respected motorcycle manufacturers. Founded by George Brough, the company built fast, luxurious machines that earned the company the nickname “The Rolls-Royce of Motorcycles.” Brough Superior’s most famous customer was probably T.E. Lawrence, aka Lawrence of Arabia, who met his untimely end aboard one of the company’s bikes.
Racer/engineer Bert le Vack was another famous Brough Superior rider; at least, he was a famous name for petrolheads in the 1920s. He helped Brough Superior develop motorcycles, and he rode them to several world records. Sadly, he also died in a motorcycle crash, during a race in Switzerland.
The exclusive machine is called the SS100 ‘Bert le Vack’ and the now French-based boutique manufacturers say its creation was inspired by the man who, in the 1920s, was one of the most famous motorcycle racers and record-breakers of the era, often riding Brough Superiors.
In 1924 le Vack, a British motorcycle racer, engineer and speed demon throughout the 1920s, sensationally broke nine motorcycle speed records, most famously the outright motorcycle speed record, when he rode a Brough Superior to 119.05mph at Arpajon in France.
Le Vack was also a noted engineer, tuner and racer, in demand from many top firms of the day with a best TT result of second in 1914 despite having to push it the last half-mile!