Author Topic: WW1 Douglas and sidecar  (Read 11733 times)

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Offline RobDR

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WW1 Douglas and sidecar
« on: 02 Aug 2008 at 13:45 »
Got this lovely postcard in the post this morning - this is the photo used on the ebay auction until I get my scanner working again



As well as liking it because I love the old Motorcycle's, it's also interesting looking at the detail - what appears to be a 'made in the field' mudguard on the body of the bike in front of the engine, unusual goggles worn by the rider, no signals blue and white armband, no shoulder titles, 03 belt usually worn as a trouser belt but used as a waistbelt on the SD jacket, civilian girl sat/stood in the sidecar, and the registration plate with nothing on it except the WD broad arrow. The detail is fantastic, considering it's at least 90 years old - this era never ceases to fascinate me. Does anyone know the model of Douglas? Seems different from other Douglas' of the era i've seen, such as the front forks being straight

« Last Edit: 11 Dec 2009 at 21:01 by Dave »

Offline Doug

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Re: WW1 Douglas and sidecar
« Reply #1 on: 02 Aug 2008 at 16:30 »
It is a 4hp (600cc, 1915-23) model. The big brother of the prolific 2-3/4hp as typically used by the dispatch riders. It looks like one of Douglas' own sidecar bodies as well. There are a few folk on the forum that have these models that may be able to narrow down the year, particularly when you get a larger scan posted.

That pattern fork was available from 1916 on (which I think precludes this being a 500cc 1914-15 3-1/2hp), but the preceding veteran fork continued to be used for a number of years after, particularly on some of the the cheaper 2-3/4hp models.
 
-Doug
« Last Edit: 02 Aug 2008 at 22:17 by Doug »

Offline RobDR

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Re: WW1 Douglas and sidecar
« Reply #2 on: 02 Aug 2008 at 18:52 »
Thanks Doug - the cap the rider is wearing is also 1916 onwards too, as it's the soft version which replaced the stiff style one as it could be carried more easily

Offline RobDR

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Re: WW1 Douglas and sidecar
« Reply #3 on: 17 Oct 2008 at 11:27 »
Does anyone know how much a Douglas 4hp 600cc model, with straight forks, would sell for, both with and without a sidecar, and both restored and unrestored?

Thanks, Rob

Offline RobDR

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Re: WW1 Douglas and sidecar
« Reply #4 on: 22 Sep 2009 at 19:30 »
After over a year, I finally scanned in the photo - here's a link to it, i'd be grateful if anyone could narrow the model year

http://www.flickr.com/photos/roblangham/3945628420/sizes/o/

Offline graeme

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Re: WW1 Douglas and sidecar
« Reply #5 on: 22 Sep 2009 at 21:51 »
Rob,
It's a 4hp model, 1916 at the earliest. It has the later style forks that were first fitted that year.

Offline RobDR

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Re: WW1 Douglas and sidecar
« Reply #6 on: 22 Sep 2009 at 22:25 »
Many thanks graeme, glad I finally got around to scanning it as it's one of my favourite First World War photographs, certainly the nicest in my collection anyway

Offline RobDR

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Re: WW1 Douglas and sidecar
« Reply #7 on: 22 Sep 2009 at 22:44 »
Here's a reduced size photo for the forum


« Last Edit: 11 Dec 2009 at 20:44 by Dave »