Search for a Douglas

[gande]

Hi Everyone,
My name is Gary Anderson ( I live in Wollongong Australia) and I am searching for 2 Douglas bikes owned by my father in the mid 1950's.
The first was an 80+ which was purchased new from Alex Cox (the Newcastle dealer at the time). We believe this was a Bluebird, although it has the high rise exhaust.
The second is a 90+ which we believe was purchased from Norm Fraser, following completion of a 24 hr endurance race at Bathurst around the same time.
We believe both bikes were sold before 1960 to a private owner in Goulburn NSW.
My father, Douglas Anderson and our entire family, was involved in speedway racing during the 1950's and perhaps somone has memories or photos of this era which would enrich our family heritage.
My Uncle and I would greatly appreciate any information, or an opportunity to photograph either of these bikes, if they still exist.

Thank You

Gary Anderson

[eddie]

Gary,
         From the description you give of the 80+?, I presume the photo is of that bike - in which case it is not actually an 80+ but a Mark 4 Sports. There are several pointers in this direction. The small (7") front brake - no screwed retaining rings for the exhausts - the small carburettors - the 'Bluebird' colour scheme (first used on the Mark 4's) - and the upswept exhaust system - peculiar to this model - which had to dip under the pillion footrests.
        I give this information in the hope that it prevents you wasting time searching for a machine which may not have actually existed.
                              Regards,
                                             Eddie.

[gande]

Thank You Eddie,
The internet is an amazing place, when someone in the UK can help with my search in Aus.
To be honest, I do not know which bike this is, but I will happily accept that this is a Mark 4 Sports and continue my search with this new information.

Thanks again for your valuable contibution.

Best Regards,

Gary Anderson