Lot 252: Douglas 348cc Dragonfly

An extensively redesigned 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 old 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. This example was previously owned by one John Denman, of Ifield, Crawley, Surrey and acquired by the current owner in October 2005. There are no documents with this Lot.