Lot 356: 1956 Douglas 348cc Dragonfly

An extensively re-designed flat twin replaced Douglas’s earlier models in 1955. Known as the Dragonfly, the newcomer featured a revised engine with stronger crankcase, single carburettor, alternator electrics and coil ignition. The duplex swinging-arm frame employed conventional Girling dampers in place of the preceding torsion bar set-up, while the Radiadraulic front fork was dropped in favour of an Earles-type leading-link arrangement. The large headlamp nacelle extending back to the five-gallon fuel tank was a distinctive feature, though one of dubious practical merit as the light unit did not turn with the handlebars. Douglas’s final model, the Dragonfly did not receive the development it deserved, production ceasing in March 1957 following the company’s take-over by Westinghouse. Its Danish owner acquired this example, which is fitted with an engine from the earlier ‘Mark’ series, from Douglas-enthusiast friends in England 6-7 years ago, A dismantled ‘project bike’ when acquired, it has since been restore to a high standard and has covered only 160-or-so miles since completion. The machine is only being sold because its owner is moving to a property with less space for motorcycles.