1949 Douglas 348cc T35

Registration no. FNR 484 Frame no. T35/S 5681/3 Engine no. T35/S 5681/3

Douglas commenced post-WW2 production in 1947 with, naturally enough, a horizontally opposed twin, though unlike the vast majority of previous models, the T35 mounted its engine across the frame rather than inline. The engine was of unitary construction while the frame displayed even greater innovation with its swinging arm rear suspension controlled by torsion bars, and Radiadraulic leading-link front fork. Its advanced running gear endowed the Douglas with excellent handling and steering characteristics. The T35 was produced for little more than one season before being superseded by the updated MkIII.

Restored at an unknown date, this Douglas T35 was purchased by the vendor and his late father in 2008, at which time the odometer reading stood at circa 300 miles (currently 1,183 miles). The vendor's father then carried out a thorough check of the machine: tightening any loose fastenings; filling the gearbox with the recommended oil; and reversing the incorrectly installed torsion bars! According to the vendor: "other than that it was by far the easiest bike to fire up and just sat there ticking over, swaying slightly". The last time the machine was ridden was 2019 when, returning from a country pub, it went onto one cylinder and has been parked in the garage ever since. The vendor owns six motorcycles, and fixing the Douglas was never top priority. The machine is now surplus to requirements and deserves to be revived and ridden by a new owner. Sold strictly as viewed, this landmark Douglas model is offered with a V5C Registration Certificate.