To Be OFFERED AT AUCTION WITHOUT RESERVE at RM Sothebys' Amelia
Island event, 8 - 9 March 2019.
Estimate:
$20,000 - $30,000
- Offered from the Richard L. Burdick Collection
- The iconic Indian Chief motorcycle
- Low mileage and well presented
The eponymous Harley-Davidson excepted, surely no American
motorcycle is as fondly regarded as the Indian. Built in
Springfield, Massachusetts, initially by the Hendee Manufacturing
Company, the first Indians arrived in 1901. In 1911, the factory
team made a 1-2-3 finish in the Isle of Man Tourist Trophy race.
During that decade, the company was the largest motorcycle
manufacturer in the world.
Introduced in 1922, the Indian Chief became the company's principal
model, a vee-twin of 1,200 cc. A front brake was added in 1928, the
year the company was renamed Indian Motocycle Company [sic]. A new
Easy-On gasoline cap became a very popular feature. Later additions
were skirted fenders and a new sprung frame that predated
Harley-Davidson's rear suspension by two full decades. By 1950,
however, the company was in dire straits and production ended in
1953.
This 1936 Indian Chief is attractive in Indian's archetypal
brilliant red with a fringed black leather seat. Correct
Indian-head decals proudly accent the fuel tank and the iconic
Indian script is cast into the aluminum foot rests. Expertly
restored, it is an excellent example of an iconic, vintage Indian,
and is bound to give a new owner much satisfaction.
To view this car and others currently consigned to this auction,
please visit the RM website at rmsothebys.com/en/auctions/am19.
