Description
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• Rare police Harley-Davidson 33VLE
• 1200 cc side-valve V-twin
• Used in the Oscar-winning film The Untouchables (1987)
• Fitted with original police accessories
• Belgian registration documents
The 1933 Harley-Davidson VLE 1200 is an iconic American police motorcycle from the early days of motorcycling. Due to their speed, ruggedness and reliability, 1200 cc side-valve Harley-Davidsons quickly became popular with police departments in the United States, where they were heavily used for patrols.
This particular machine was originally delivered to the Chicago Police Department and probably originates from a very limited production, since 1933 was one of Harley-Davidson’s lowest production years. After several years in active police service, the bike was purchased and restored by Wayne “Pappy” Pierce, a famous Harley-Davidson dealer and rider with more than 250 trophies. His restoration was finished just in time for the bike to appear in the gangster film The Untouchables (1987) with Kevin Costner.
Wayne Pierce founded his Harley-Davidson dealership in 1957 and built up an impressive collection of motorcycles in his personal museum, including this Harley. After his death in 2008, the collection was finally sold in 2014.
Today, this Harley-Davidson is in good running order and fitted with many authentic police accessories, including a red police lamp, a dual-needle police speedometer, a pump, a first-aid kit, a copper extinguisher and a baton. Also present are a poster from The Untouchables and the original jacket Wayne Pierce received as thanks for placing the bike at the Chicago shoot.
The 1933 model year is particularly rare. After the stock market crash, Harley-Davidson posted their lowest sales figures since 1910-1911 that year. The marque also introduced new colour combinations and the famous Art Deco bird motif on the tank. The VLE was equipped with a high-compression engine with magnesium-aluminium pistons and could reach a top speed of over 100 mph (around 160 km/ h).
This motorcycle is also mentioned in Darwin Holmstrom’s book Harley-Davidson: The Complete History.
Technical data
• Brand: Harley-Davidson
• Model: Police VLE 1200
• Year: 1933
• Engine: 1198 cc side-valve V-twin
• Transmission: manual
• Colour: Silver
• Mileage: 33, 973 miles (mileage verified)
Condition
• Good overall condition
• Running and ride-ready
• Authentic police equipment present
Documents
• Belgian registration documents
This Harley-Davidson Police VLE 1200 is on display at Oldtimerfarm,
Lobulckstraat 9 – 9880 Aalter (Belgium).
For more information, contact using the button below
or call +32 (0)472 40 13 38.
Reference che3325
Brand Harley-Davidson
Model Police VLE 1200 '33
Type motorcycle
Year of manufacture 1933
KM 33973 miles
Displacement 1198
Gearbox manual
Driving left-hand drive
Chassis number 33VLE3325
Price € 72, 950
