Tuesday 11 September 2012

The Iconic Indian


The moment this bike appeared at the vintage festival an instant crowd gathered to investigate the iconic Indian motorcycle.  Founded in 1901 the company manufactured in Springfield, Massachusetts, the factory's nickname, the wigwam. By 1911 the machine held every speed and distance record in the USA and took top three positions in the Isle of Man Tourist Trophy Senior 500cc race (the Snaefell Mountain Course). Second place was taken by Charles Franklin who went on to design  bikes for the company including the original Indian Scout of 1920,  
However I think this bike is one of the 1930s Indian Chiefs but as I have no expertise so don't take my word for it.  The Indian company went bankrupt in 1953 but in 2011 Polaris Industries took over the mark to produce machines again. The Indian time-line is on their site, or if thinking of splashing out and have the odd $37K to spend on travel perhaps the chief vintage 2013 is for you. But for the authentic 1930s experience
 
take up the helmet, jump on and zoom away
 and of course I'll say "So long till ABC Wednesday!"

 An entry to ABC Wednesday, a journey through the alphabet


17 comments:

photowannabe said...

I have watched a TV program called American Pickers which is about 2 men that are in the "treasure" as in vintage hunting business.
They are always on the look out for anything Indian brand.
Its fun to actually know what your post is about.

Anonymous said...

very nice post.

Roger Owen Green said...

nice bike!
ROG, ABC Wednesday team

VioletSky said...

yep, I watch the American Pickers show, too!
but I have to say,I think i prefer the real vintage models to the Vintage 2013 model.

Anonymous said...

A very fine Indian there! Love the vintage bikes.

Ann said...

I've not heard of this brand of bike. I like the vintage bike, never could afford one. I watch the "Pickers" too, they are so fun.
Ann

Rajesh said...

Truly vintage

Chubskulit Rose said...

Beautiful vintage that is!

Instrument
Rose, ABC Wednesday Team

Oman said...

Such lovely sceneries. Hope to have my chance of taking memories of that place. Awesome post. :)

PhenoMenon, ABCW Team said...

Ooh I am crazy about this bike. Its like a dream to be seen but never touched


PhenoMenon, ABCW Team

Wanda said...

There was a wonderful movie about the Indian, and Anthony Hopkins played the part. It was a great movie.

Paula Scott Molokai Girl Studio said...

Not only Iconic, but a classic! That one is a beaut! It did not know that the other name was wigwam.

carol l mckenna said...

Unique topic and great photos ~ (A Creative Harbor)


thanks for coming by ^_^

magiceye said...

What a treat it must have been to even click pictures of this beauty!!
Lovely captures!

Tito Eric said...

Beautiful bike! In red, too!

Dave said...

You may know Joy that the Indian motorbike was used during the Second World War as a machine for delivering messages. I understand that they had little or no springs so were very uncomfortable to ride. Some were sold here in NZ in Ary Surplus stores after the war. I think the Indian is now collector's item. Thanks for this blog - Dave

Dave said...

That's Army Surplus stores - Dave