Description
National Motorcycle Museum | Solihull, West Midlands
26th Mar, 2025 9:00
1952 Douglas 80 Plus 350
No Reserve
Lot details
Registration No: GSK 130
Frame No: 11437
MOT: Exempt
Douglas's radical for the time flat-twin
Unique torsion bar rear suspension
Supplied with a current V5C
Douglas motorcycles were manufactured between 1907–1957 in Kingswood, Bristol and were especially known for their twin-cylinder engined bikes, initially fore and aft and eventually in an across-the-frame layout . The first of these models launched in 1945 was the T35 featuring a pivoted fork rear frame, sprung with torsion bars and leading link "Radiadraulic" front forks with compression springs and hydraulic damping. The company also built a range of cars between 1913 and 1922 and famously built Vespa scooters under license in the 1950s. The start of the 1950s saw the Mk5 variant, with the Competition and high-performance 80 Plus and 90 Plus versions.
This authentically restored Douglas, being offered with 'no reserve', is the 80 Plus model introduced in 1950 together with the 90 Plus as high-performance road models. The 80 Plus and 90 Plus referred to their claimed top speeds and both had specially tuned engines which were bench tested at the factory for power output and torque. The Maroon and Silver paintwork was unique to the 80 Plus. Whilst most of their competitors were producing vertical twins with conventional suspension, Douglas stood out from the crowd with a boxer-style flat-twin, torsion bar rear suspension and leading-link front forks. This nicely presented example has recently been treated to new plugs and a battery and comes supplied with a current V5C.
