NOW & THEN
At the end of 2021, I was introduced to a unique little 1913 Douglas 2¾hp Model V. Unique because, apart from having wheel rims re-laced and the control cables replaced some years ago, this petit pre-(great)war Duggie has never been restored.
It’s quite a famous little bike in its own right, as it was featured in a Douglas promotional photo taken at Newlands Corner, near Guildford, in 1948. The then first owner, Fred Lacey, was pictured in a posed shot alongside one of the new Douglas Mark 3 Sports models. That machine was ridden a Mr PF Poppe, the son of one of the Douglas company directors; the same Erling Poppe of Sunbeam S7 and S8 fame!
As a bit of fun and because the owners of the older machine, Steven and John Taylor, were game, we re-created that image of 73 years ago. This time a Cornish lay-by doubled as Newlands Corner. Steven doubles for Fred in the original picture, while his son John re-enacts young Mr Poppe’s pose astride my own Mark 3 Sports machine.
What is really interesting is the old Duggie’s total authenticity. For example, having the already happily working Bosch magneto stripped and professionally serviced as a precaution, I was advised that there was no evidence of it ever having been dismantled in the past, let alone overhauled. The engine’s bottom end and timing gears were similarly found to be in nigh-on perfect condition, along with the cast-iron pistons and valves also being original; although I did lap-in the valves and replace the valve springs as part of the service.
I was equally impressed with the cycle parts, too. Fork spindles, steering and wheel bearings appeared ‘as new’ while even the drive belt, albeit a little careworn, was a Dunlop original. The Model V even still sports its original saddle and, to cap it all, is also fitted with the unique and really quite rare elephant hide weather-shield behind the front mudguard and wheel. It boggles the mind wondering where you’d dare find a replacement!
As for how it rides… Well, it very readily starts, steers and almost stops just as it might have done when it first hit the road, 108 years ago. Boy oh boy, would I love to own this little bike if it ever became available. Dream on, Pat!
In the meantime I’m still enjoying the wonderful world of old fossil-burners and the writing quality that makes
Realclassic as good as ever. Pat Gormley, member 7899 Thanks for the splendid photos, Pat, and how wonderful to learn that another old trooper is still going strong – kudos all round to the people keeping it fit for service. And what a delightful contrast with the similarly unique Douglas Mk3 featured further on in this issue. In some respects you couldn’t imagine two machines which are less alike: one is over a century old yet has barely been touched by time or tinkering. The other has been extensively modified to suit its owner’s particular preferences. And both sit comfortably within this scope of Realclassic. How marvellous.
Hope to see plenty more Douglas machines at the Bristol Show this month! Rowena