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LOT 202

1914 Douglas 2¾hp Project

Sold for £4,352 inc. premiumLot to be sold without reserve
Lot 202

1914 Douglas 2¾hp Project

1914 Douglas 2¾hp Project

Registration no. EW 775
Frame no. 12883
Engine no. 12680


The Bristol-based Douglas Foundry took up motorcycle production in 1907 with a machine powered by a horizontally-opposed, twin-cylinder engine. Fore-and-aft installation made for a slim machine with a low centre of gravity. Douglas were quick to realise the advantages of the countershaft gearbox and its three-speed entries gained 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. By the time hostilities ceased in 1918, Douglas had supplied 25,000 motorcycles to British, Belgian and Australian forces in France. Despite the war having ended in November of that year, production for the military continued until January 1919. Leftover Army contract and ex-War Department machines were the only ones on offer to civilian customers initially; in any case, no need was seen for major changes to the design.

The machine comes with a London Douglas Motorcycle Club letter dated 27th January 2006 stating that it was manufactured in 1914 and first registered in 1921, this being shortly after the introduction of the Roads Act of 1920, which required local councils to register all vehicles at the time of licensing and to allocate a separate number to each. (Many vehicles, although in existence for several years in some cases, were only registered for the first time after the Act's passing.) No previous history is known. This motorcycle will require extensive restoration before returning to the road and thus is sold strictly as viewed. A spare engine is included in the sale. Key not required.

Footnotes

BUYER'S PREMIUM
The Buyer's Premium for this Lot is 28%+VAT on the first £40k of the Hammer Price, then 27%+VAT up to £800k, then 21%+VAT up to £4.5M and 14.5%+VAT thereafter.

All lots are sold 'as is/where is' and Bidders must satisfy themselves as to the provenance, condition, age, completeness and originality prior to bidding.

CONDITIONS OF SALE, AUCTION INFORMATION & GUIDE FOR BUYERS
Please see the 'CONDITIONS OF SALE, AUCTION INFORMATION & GUIDE FOR BUYERS' at the top of the main sale page (Motorcycles Online - The Summer Sale) for all pertinent information regarding bidder's obligations, viewing, bidding, payment, post-sale collection & transportation.

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Saleroom notices

Please note this lot is offered with a V5C Registration Certificate.

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