Records of Douglas Motors (Kingswood) Ltd

Cinefilm and videotapes

CERTAIN RECORDS ARE CLOSED FOR 30 YEARS

Deposited by South Gloucestershire Council per Mr Steph Gillett, Head of Museums and Heritage Services, Broad Lane, Yate BS37 7PN

Douglas Motors (Kingswood) Ltd was established at the beginning of the 20th century and based at Kingswood, near Bristol. The company was responsible for producing early examples of the motor car. In 1913, they produced a light car with an air cooled flat twin engine of 1070 cc capacity. After the First World War, a more powerful version of the car was released and continued in production until 1922. From 1932 onwards the company concentrated on the production of motor cycles becoming world famous for its 'Vespa' production. It also specialised in the formation of experimental motorised machinery to be used in industry, one example being the Douglas Industrial Power Truck. It would appear that this particular vehicle was developed during the Second World War and that it was specifically geared towards women workers who take part in the majority of the demonstrations throughout the film. In 1955 the Company was acquired by Westinghouse Brake and Signal Company Ltd and completely re-organised see IN/32