1957 Douglas Dragonfly, 350 cc. Registration number 394 UYU ...

Hammer

£2,500

1957 Douglas Dragonfly, 350 cc. Registration number 394 UYU (non transferable). Frame number 2356/6 (V5C incorrect as 235616). Engine number 2123/6.
The Dragonfly was the last motorcycle produced by the company, the 1955 Dragonfly was an all-new motorcycle built to use an improved version of an existing engine. Despite its riding comfort, which was "equal to a car's", it did not sell well, and only 1,457 Dragonfly motorcycles were produced before the company was taken over and production ended in 1957.
It was based on the Mark V Douglas and an earlier 500 cc prototype. Aiming to overcome the outdated image, designers were commissioned from the Reynolds Tube Company to develop a completely new open duplex frame of welded tubing, including a swinging arm with twin Girling dampers with leading link front suspension.
As well as suffering from production delays, the Dragonfly was bigger and heavier than its predecessors and its raw power was too difficult to handle for most riders. It was also noisy and acceleration was rather unpredictable. Douglas decided to concentrate on importing Vespa scooters which were increasing in popularity, and only 1500 Dragonfly motorcycles were ever built.
UYU was first registered on the 9th March 1957, one of the last to be be built, the last frame number being 2573/6. According to the V5C it has only had three owners; our vendor from August 2013, he acquired it from the long term owner Roy Webster of Hull who had bought it in January 1983.
Sold with the V5C, it is sold as a non runner due to ignition issues.