A 1932 Brough Superior 800cc motorbike was the star of Bonhams' Spring Stafford sale.

It achieved £331,900 ($481,006) in the April 23-24 auction, a new record for a British motorbike at auction.

The Brough Superior is one of the world's most coveted motorbikes

It edged out the previous record of £315,100 ($456,658), set by another Brough Superior at Bonhams in 2014.

The bike was part of a collection of eight Brough Superiors discovered in various states of repair in a barn in Bodmin Moor, Cornwall, UK last year.

This specimen is the rare four-cylinder variant. Only 10 were made, with this the last to be accounted for.

It includes its original engine, further increasing its desirability, and was sold as a project - meaning the buyer will have to embark on a significant restoration programme.

Ben Walker, director of Bonhams' motorbike department, comments: "The Broughs of Bodmin Moor are the motorcycle discovery of the decade.

"They've caused quite a stir in the saleroom, with each one far exceeding estimate, allowing us to break our own world record for a British motorcycle sold at auction, the 1938 Brough Superior 750cc BS4 selling for £331,900 to a German bidder in the room."

"Having been housed in a Cornwall barn for so many decades, we're delighted to have brought these machines back into the spotlight."

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