1922 Douglas motorcycle converted to electric powertrain during WWII heads to May auction
Think electric motorcycles are a relatively new phenomenon? Think again! This 1922 Douglas 2 ¾ was first converted to battery power in 1942 and will go up for sale this coming May with Iconic Auctioneers.
The 103-year-old Bristol-built machine was converted from a combustion engine to electric power in 1942 by a Mr Pidcock of Peterborough.
The change is said to have been made due to a petrol shortage during the Second World War thanks to rationing and is believed to be one of the first-ever electric motorcycles to be registered in the UK.
“The bike is just as it was back in 1942,” Mark Bryan of Iconic Auctioneers said. “It has been with the same owner for last 15 years. Perfect for a museum. It is a great piece of motorcycle history.”
The Douglas would’ve originally been powered by a horizontally-opposed twin-cylinder engine, however, now comes fitted with three six-volt batteries, offering differing levels of performance.
To help authenticate the adaptation, a copy of Motor Cycling magazine from June 1942 will be included in the sale, with an article inside on the bike.
When full charged, Mr Pidcock claimed the blacked-out Douglas was capable of being ridden for the day, with a top speed of 18mph and an economy of nine miles to the penny.
The three batteries are held in a simplistic beam frame, shrouded by flat panelling and offer three levels of performance – almost like the optional rider modes we see today. First, you get a single six-volt output, then a 12-volt option, and a third running all three batteries at 18 volts.
It comes in mostly original condition, however certain cycle parts such as the rear sprocket have clearly been changed over time. Although owned by the same person for the past 15 years, it has not been ridden for a while and will require new batteries and a refresh to be used again.
Should you want to ride it, there’s a current V5C, plus plenty of history including the old RF60 ‘buff’ logbook. There are also numerous letters from period, a wiring diagram and some correspondence with Douglas.
For those interested, the pre-war machine will go under the gavel on May 4 as part of the Iconic Spring Shuttleworth Sale, at Shuttleworth, Old Warden Park, Bedfordshire, SG18 9EP.
The Douglas is currently one of 47 lots at the event, and the only motorcycle not to feature a combustion engine. Other options include a pair of tidy modern Honda CBR600RRs, a 1984 Kawasaki GPZ750 Turbo offered without reserve, and even a rare non-military spec ‘Flat-Head’ Harley-Davidson WL from 1941.
For more on the auction, visit Iconic Auctioneers’ website today.
