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Lot #308
Harley-Davidson: Harley, William S.

Two wheels are better than four: “We do not believe that midget car racing does the motorcycle business any particular good.”

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Description

Two wheels are better than four: “We do not believe that midget car racing does the motorcycle business any particular good.”

Chief engineer and co- founder of Harley-Davidson Motor Company, whose motorcycles were so universally admired, and so often copied, that eventually, in order to prevent other companies from imitating it, they had to copyright their trademark sound, the Harley-Davidson “purr.” TLS signed “Wm. S. Harley,” one page, 8.5 x 11, Harley-Davidson Motor Co. letterhead, October 24, 1934. Letter to a Harley sales and service center in Florida. In part, “We have done this sort of thing for hill-climbers, but as far as I know we have never supplied any for midget car use. We are not very much interested in this sort of thing because we do not believe that midget car racing does the motorcycle business any particular good. We have, however, developed a short-track racer, and we sold about twenty of these this year and the riders had very good results with them…There is going to be short track racing…in Florida…and, doubtless, you will see some of our jobs in action down there.” In fine condition, with intersecting folds and a small stain near bottom, not affecting text. Auction LOA John Reznikoff/PSA/DNA and R&R COA.

Auction Info

  • Auction Title:
  • Dates: #323 - Ended July 18, 2007