The Great Depression ravaged the entire economy of the United States, and Harley Davidson was no exception. Total production plummeted and dealers and the company struggled to survive.
The 1930 model year saw the introduction of a brand new 74 CID V-Twin motor. Sidevalve design it would become known as ‘the Flathead’ in the HD lexicon. It offered a huge increase in horsepower but it didn’t work very well. Over half of the first year flatheads had to be rebuilt by the dealers. A very quick factory redesign saved the day and the 74 CID flathead carried on until ‘the Knucklehead’ OHV motor came out in mid 1936.
The 1930 Harley Davidson VL used a 74 CID air cooled motor that made 30 HP and was good for an honest 85 MPH top speed. The motor design was a compromise and would turn out to be one of the least produced motors in HD’s history. It did help to keep the motor company alive during the depression.
By 1936 the country was pulling out of the depression and sales improved. The Harley Davidson VLD (high compression) was done with it’s time as a HD model in mid 1936 with the introduction of the OHV Knucklehead motor.
The 1930 and the 1936 VLs were both ‘short run’ model years. Both years had total production of around 10,000 motorcycles spread among several models. There just weren’t very many made.
Both listings claim to be AMCA Senior First winners. I tried to find judging criteria and numbers but the Antique Motorcycle Club of America is members only and gives almost no information to outsiders.
Both of these bikes are in Miami, Florida.
The 1930 model VL (VIN # 30VL10907) is currently listed as completely restored and has a Buy It Now price of $37,500
The 1936 Model VLD (VIN # 36VLD4860) is listed as ‘restored a few years ago’ and has a Buy It Now price of $39,500
These bikes are both quite rare, owing to the very short production runs at HD. They are good examples of the first ‘Flathead’ and the last ‘Flathead’ 74s.
Sources:
Wheels Through Time
Wikipedia
HD Timeline
Harley History