LOT 546

1942 Harley-Davidson 739cc WLA Project Registration no. not registered Frame no. to be advised Engine no. 42WLA 36240

Sold for £10,350 inc. premium

Lot 546

1942 Harley-Davidson 739cc WLA Project
Registration no. not registered Frame no. to be advised Engine no. 42WLA 36240

The Autumn Stafford Sale – The Classic Motorcycle Mechanics Show|16 October 2022, 10:00 BST|Stafford, Staffordshire County Showground

1942 Harley-Davidson 739cc WLA Project
Registration no. not registered
Frame no. to be advised
Engine no. 42WLA 36240

Introduced in 1929 as a competitor to Indian's successful 750cc sidevalve v-twin, the Harley-Davidson Model D - better known as the '45' (its capacity in cubic inches) - really took off when the USA's entry into WW2 created an unprecedented demand for military motorcycles, around 90,000 of the WL (military) version rolling off the Milwaukee production lines before hostilities ceased. After rigorous testing in 1939, the US Army ordered its first batch of WLs in March 1940, with further substantial orders of machines from South Africa and Great Britain following soon after. These military Harleys benefited from the new aluminium cylinder heads fitted to the civilian version from 1939 and came with a full complement of equipment including D-shaped foot-boards, crash bars, skid plates, cargo racks and panniers. Designated WLA (Army) or WLC (Canadian-built), the Harley '45' saw action in just about every theatre of war. 'De-mobbed' Harleys helped meet the upsurge in demand for motorcycles in the immediate post-war years, doing much to establish the marque's reputation worldwide.

Purchased by the vendor's father from a breaker's yard around 1970, this WLA appears to have been prepared for civilian use but does not seem to have been registered. Ripe for restoration, the machine is fitted with an unusual seat unit and comes with a silencer and right foot-board (both detached).
Key not required

Footnotes

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.

Saleroom notices

There is no frame number present, correct for Harley Davidson's of this era.

Additional information

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