Douglas began motorcycle production in Bristol in 1907, building on an engineering business established in 1882. Its horizontally opposed twin-cylinder engines became a defining feature of the marque. Douglas supplied large numbers of motorcycles during the First World War, then developed a varied range of road and competition machines, including the popular 350cc EW and successful dirt-track models.
After the Second World War, Douglas resumed production with the 350cc T35 and subsequent Mark-series twins. The Dragonfly, announced in 1954, was the company’s final motorcycle design. Its distinctive headlamp nacelle blended into the fuel-tank styling, giving it a very different appearance from the earlier machines.
The Dragonfly pictured features an air-cooled 348cc overhead-valve flat-twin engine, with a single carburettor, alternator electrics and coil ignition. A new cradle frame is fitted with Earles-type leading-link front forks and a swinging arm with twin rear spring/damper units. Conventional drum brakes are fitted at both ends. Douglas motorcycle production ended in 1957, bringing fifty years of distinctive British engineering to a close.
