XS Model with Sidecar

When World War II took U.S. forces to desert terrain in North Africa and elsewhere, the Army commissioned the XS. It had the power and traction for tackling shifting sands. Enclosing the key components protected them from sand and punishing temperature changes. Harley-Davidson built only three XS prototypes before the government cancelled its order. The Army had decided to use Jeep's 4 x 4 vehicles for desert warfare. This XS is the only surviving example.