Harley-Davidson Police VLE 1200 '33

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• Rare Harley-Davidson 33VLE police motorcycle
• 1200 cc side-valve V-twin engine
• Used in the Oscar-winning film The Untouchables (1987)
• Equipped with original police accessories
• Belgian registration documents

The 1933 Harley-Davidson VLE 1200 is an iconic American police motorcycle from the early years of the motorcycle industry. Thanks to their speed, robustness and reliability, the 1200 cc side-valve Harley-Davidsons quickly became popular with police departments across the United States, where they were widely used for patrol duties.

This particular example was originally delivered to the Chicago Police Department and likely comes from a very limited production year, as 1933 was one of Harley-Davidson’s lowest production years. After many years of active police service, the motorcycle was acquired and restored by Wayne “Pappy” Pierce, a renowned Harley-Davidson dealer and successful racer with more than 250 trophies to his name. His restoration was completed just in time for the motorcycle to appear in the Oscar-winning gangster film The Untouchables (1987) starring Kevin Costner.

Wayne Pierce started his Harley-Davidson dealership in 1957 and also built an impressive motorcycle collection in his personal museum, where this Harley was displayed. After his passing in 2008, his collection was eventually sold in 2014.

Today this Harley-Davidson is in good running condition and equipped with several authentic police accessories including a red police light, a police speedometer with dual needle, a pump, a first aid kit, a copper fire extinguisher and a police baton. Also included are a movie poster from The Untouchables and the original jacket Wayne Pierce received as appreciation for providing the motorcycle during filming in Chicago.

The 1933 model year is particularly rare. After the stock market crash, Harley-Davidson recorded its lowest sales figures since 1910-1911 that year. The company also introduced new color schemes and the distinctive art-deco bird motif on the fuel tank. The VLE featured a high-compression engine with magnesium-aluminum pistons and could reach a top speed of over 100 mph (approximately 160 km/h).

This motorcycle is also mentioned in the book Harley-Davidson: The Complete History by Darwin Holmstrom.

Technical data

• Brand: Harley-Davidson
• Model: Police VLE 1200
• Year: 1933
• Engine: 1198 cc side-valve V-twin
• Transmission: Manual gearbox
• Color: Silver
• Mileage: 33,973 miles (recorded mileage)

Condition

• Good overall condition
• Running and road-ready motorcycle
• Authentic police equipment present

Documents

• Belgian registration documents

This Harley-Davidson Police VLE 1200 can be viewed at Oldtimerfarm,
Lobulckstraat 9 – 9880 Aalter (Belgium).

For more information please contact [email protected]
or call +32 (0)472 40 13 38.