Ultra-Rare 1943 Harley-Davison E Goes for Big Bucks
This 1943 Harley-Davidson E Model is one of the few bikes built that year which wasn’t headed to war.
As World War II raged in 1943, heavy industry in the United States had pivoted toward war effort, and rationing meant that everything from gasoline, to nylon, to coffee was scarce. While the MoCo was still cranking out motorcycles, including the legendary WLA, most of them were headed to the front. So as you can imagine, civilian bikes were almost non-existent. Now, I wrote “almost” because there were 158 Harleys which escaped conscription that year — and this Harley-Davidson E Model was one of them.
The machine recently crossed the block at a Mecum Auctions event in Las Vegas, and when the hammer fell, the final price was a whopping $220,000. Prior to being sold in Sin City, this ultra-rare Knucklehead was restored to factory specifications, and spent the last three decades as part of the J.C. Burgin Motorcycle Collection. For fans of of old Harleys — and vintage motorcycles in general — it’s a fascinating piece of history that’s very much a product of its era.
One thing that’s immediately apparent is a complete lack of chrome. Most notably, the primary cover and the pipes are black, and even little bits like the gas cap were painted to match. There’s also no metal trim to be found, and the result is a look that’s both austere and purposeful. Even the finish on the tank and fenders seems dialed down.
The nameplate on the tank is painted, and the floorboards were made from simple ribbed steel. The padding inside the saddle is actually horsehair, as it was one of the only suitable materials available, and eagle-eyed experts will also note that the fender lamps are missing. Those were another option nixed thanks to the country’s laser focus on achieving victory over the Axis powers.
Unfortunately, there’s not a lot of information on exactly what kind of life this bike lived, or where it was found before coming into the possession of J.C. Burgin. There’s also no info on exactly how many of the 158 machines Harley produced for the civilian market that year are still in existence. But you can bet it’s a pretty small number.
So enjoy the pics here, and make sure to head to the Mecum Auctions site to check out some of the other awesome machines plucked from Burgin’s incredible collection, which includes plenty of Harleys, along with other early American motorcycles like Indian, Excelsior, and Thor. Here’s hoping this magnificent E Model winds up someplace where normal folks can check it out…
Photos: Mecum Auctions
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