Lot 242: 1956 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 loop, 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. Professor Ehn purchased this Dragonfly in the UK in 1996 and used it regularly before placing it in the Museum. The machine is offered with UK V5 registration document.