Vehicle Description
Previously owned by Steve McQueen Restored by renowned artist Kenny
Howard AKA Von Dutch Von Dutchs business card is laminated in
sidecar Beautiful example with incredible provenance Indian Big
Chief Indian followedits 1920 debut of the improved 600cc V-twin
Scout with the larger-displacement 1,000cc Chief in 1922.
Continuing on with the bigger-is-better approach, Indian launched
the 1,200cc Big Chief in 1923. With standard electric lights and a
generator, new tank-side compression-release rod and heavier frame
tubing with reinforcements to handle the increased horsepower, the
Big Chief quickly rode to the best-selling model spot in the Indian
lineup. The Motorcycle offered This particular 1923 Indian Big
Chief is equipped with a Princess Sidecar, andnot only was it owned
by Steve McQueen, but it was additionally restored Indian Big Chief
Indian followedits 1920 debut of the improved 600cc V-twin Scout
with the larger-displacement 1,000cc Chief in 1922. Continuing on
with the bigger-is-better approach, Indian launched the 1,200cc Big
Chief in 1923. With standard electric lights and a generator, new
tank-side compression-release rod and heavier frame tubing with
reinforcements to handle the increased horsepower, the Big Chief
quickly rode to the best-selling model spot in the Indian lineup.
The Motorcycle offered,This particular 1923 Indian Big Chief is
equipped with a Princess Sidecar, andnot only was it owned by Steve
McQueen, but it was additionally restored at his request by
renowned artist Kenny Howard, known by those in the custom-car and
motorcycle world as Von Dutch. This restored Indian Big Chief is a
first-year example of the engineering and manufacturing expertise
that propelled Indian to the largest motorcycle manufacturer in the
world by the early 1920s.,McQueen had a passion for motorcycles and
motorsports that he conveyed not only into cinematic history with
the Great Escape and LeMans, but also into life itself with a
second-place finish at the 24 Hours of Sebring in 1970 with Peter
Revson against the combined motorsport juggernaut of Ferrari and
Mario Andretti. In 1969, McQueen turned to the best in the business
of car-culture art and motorcycle mechanicals when it came time to
restore this iconic first-year Indian Big Chief. Von Dutch was a
highly influential Southern California-based artist, fabricator,
mechanic and restorer. The mechanical side of the restoration began
with the 1,200cc (74 CI) Indian dual-cam V-twin, and worked its way
out to the paint, lettering and pinstriping laid down by Von Dutch
himself. The motorcycle and sidecar stand as a rideable and
enduring symbol of the dedication and creativity of people that
embrace motorcycling with passion.