Lot 603: 1957 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. Originally supplied by G D Brown of Godalming, Surrey, this example is believed to have spent a period of time in a museum before the current owner acquired it and careful storage of this exceptionally well preserved machine has continued. Original and unrestored, it would, of course, benefit from some gentle re-commissioning before returning to the road. The machine is offered with old-style logbook and Swansea V5 registration document.