Formerly the property of Douglas Motors; ex-Eddy Withers, 1911 Douglas 2¾hp Model D '2 Speed'

Registration no. HW 7974 Frame no. 5922031 Engine no. 2531

• Rare two-speed version
• Retained by Douglas Motors into the 1950s
• Next owned by Eddie Withers
• Displayed at the Science Museum, London
• Many-time Pioneer Run competitor since 1930
• Present family ownership since 2011

The Bristol-based Douglas Foundry took up motorcycle production in 1907 with a machine designed by Joseph Barter, whose Fairy motorcycle had used components supplied by Douglas. Like the Fairy, the first Douglas was powered by a horizontally-opposed, twin-cylinder engine, and the company would keep faith with this layout until it ceased motorcycle production in 1957. Fore-and-aft installation made for a slim machine with a low centre of gravity, and the design's virtues were soon demonstrated in competition, 2¾hp Douglas machines taking 1st, 2nd and 4th places in the 1912 Junior TT in the Isle of Man. Douglas were quick to realise the advantages of the countershaft gearbox, its three-speed entries gaining the Team Prize in the 1914 Six Days Trial, a conspicuous success that resulted in the firm obtaining a wartime contract for the supply of military machines. Douglas' success continued after The Great War. In its publicity announcing the 1924 models the company claimed that 'well over 75,000 Douglas 2¾hp machines are giving satisfaction every day to their owners.' No need was seen for major changes.

One of the rare survivors of the marque's early era, this Model D is the only working example of a two-speed Douglas with automatic inlet valves; indeed, this motorcycle was considered so important by Douglas Motors that they retained it into the 1950s. In 1947 Douglas loaned the machine to the Science Museum in London for the Institute of Mechanical Engineers' Centenary Exhibition. The machine remained at the Museum until finally retrieved by Douglas Motors in 1958, their stated intention being to use it on that year's Pioneer Run (see Science Museum email on file). It would appear that 'HW 7974' had been removed by Douglas for use on the Pioneer Run several times in the 1950s. The Douglas is pictured in the Science Museum publication Motor Cycles by C F Caunter (photocopy on file).

Issued in 1947, the old-style buff logbook on file records the owner at that time as 'Douglas (Kingswood) Ltd' and the date of first registration as 1910 (some other sources state 1911). The first change of ownership is dated March 1953 when the Douglas passed to Withers of West Norwood Ltd. 'HW 7974' was registered to Edward Raymond Withers in 1970 and again (at a different address) in 1983. The aforementioned Mr Withers is in fact Eddy Withers, a former member of the Douglas Experimental Department who, together with Jack Clapham, was responsible for designing the Endeavour model of 1935. Eddy had joined Douglas back in 1925 and later headed the factory's post-war semi-official competitions programme. His 'Withers of West Norwood' company effectively served as the Douglas service depot for London.

The accompanying Pioneer Certificate (No.14) was issued to Eddy Withers in February 1952. An unidentified magazine article (copy on file) states that the Douglas had 'competed in this Pioneer Run and regularly since the first in 1930, always ridden by a member of the Withers family', although other records show that one D Herlihy was a regular rider in both the Pioneer and Banbury Runs throughout the 1950s.

The next piece of evidence on file is a catalogue description dating from when 'HW 7974' was offered for sale at the Devon Motor Show auction in June 1990 (Lot 164) following Eddy Withers' death in January of that year. Its purchaser would appear to have been one Mr Lambert of London, to whom the Douglas was registered on 17th June 1990.

'HW 7974' was next owned (from April 1995) by one Mr. Kennedy of Chichester. In 2011 this important and historical machine was offered for sale at Bonhams' Stafford auction in October (Lot 365) where it was purchased by the current vendor. At that time it was stated that the Douglas had been kept in excellent order, successfully completing both the Pioneer and Banbury Runs in 2011 and being a much-requested machine for the Goodwood Festival of Speed. Said to be running beautifully, it was being sold only because of the 'passage of time'.

Offered for sale today in excellent condition having last run in 2021, 'HW7974' is accompanied by a large file of history, a spare period saddle and some charming period photographs of Eddie Withers with it on the Pioneer Run, this rare two-speed Douglas Model 'D' is ready for the next Pioneer Run, should the fortunate new owner choose to take part. An exceptionally important and historic Douglas motorcycle.
Offered without key