LOT 44

Concours restored 1942 Harley Davidson 45ci WLA Frame no. 42WLA54583 Engine no. 42WLA54583

Sold for €24,150 inc. premiumLot to be sold without reserve

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Lot 44

Concours restored, 1942 Harley Davidson 45ci WLA

The Zoute Sale|8 October 2023, 11:00 CEST|Knokke-Heist, Le Zoute

Concours restored
1942 Harley Davidson 45ci WLA
Frame no. 42WLA54583
Engine no. 42WLA54583

Although Harley-Davidson was no stranger to sidevalve ('flat head') engines, it did not apply this valve gear arrangement to a v-twin until the arrival of the all-new 45ci 'D' (standard) and 'DL' (high-compression) models in 1929. Production of the '45' really took off when the USA's entry into WW2 in December 1941 created an unprecedented demand for military motorcycles; around 90,000 of the WL (military) version would roll off the Milwaukee production lines before hostilities ceased. Designated WLA (Army) or WLC (Canadian-built), the Harley '45' saw action in just about every theatre of war. 'De-mobbed' Harley WLs helped meet the upsurge in demand for motorcycles in the immediate post-war years, doing much to establish the marque's reputation worldwide. The civilian version remained a catalogued model until the end of 1951.
This civilianised and customised '45' has been fully restored by Motos Antiguas Retrocycle HD in Membrilla, Spain. The bike is sold strictly on a bill of sale with no original registration documents.

Additional information

This auction is now finished. If you are interested in consigning in future auctions, please contact the specialist department. If you have queries about lots purchased in this auction, please contact customer services.
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NOTICE COLLECTIONS, TRANSPORT AND STORAGE Purchases will only be released when cleared funds are received.
MOTOR CARS & MOTORCYCLES
All vehicles must be collected from the Bonhams|Cars Marquee by 12noon on Monday 9 October 2023. Customers must notify BY EMAIL ONLY to Suzanne Kress , [email protected], no later than 8pm on the day of the Sale.
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First 14 days
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IMPORTANT CARS UNDER CUSTOMS BOND
Lots 103, 104, 107, 108, 109, 110, 111, 112, 113, 114, 115, 119, 124, 134, 145, 150, 151, 155, 169, 185, 186
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[email protected], of Bonhams|Cars no later than 8pm on the day of the sale if they will be collecting their purchase that evening, or by 12noon on Monday 9 October 2023.
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Tapuitstraat 246
8790 Waregem
BELGIUM
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€35 + VAT per automobilia lot, capped to €500 + VAT per invoice
Please note large size automobilia lots below will be subject to a special uplift fee of €200 + VAT:
_Lots 19, 22, 23, 24, 25_
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€10 + VAT per large size automobilia lots below T: _Lots 19 , 22, 23, 24, 25_
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COLLECTION
Interim Storage Group
Tapuitstraat 246
8790 Waregem
BELGIUM
+32 471 71 27 36
[email protected]
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+33 1 42 61 10 11
[email protected]
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+44 203 988 6445
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