Rolling Sculpture
Seller Premier Auto of South Florida is no stranger to the eBay Motors blog. Recently, it sold the smallest Indian motorcycle ever made through eBay. This 1946 Indian Chief is a different beast.
It appears this Chief received a full restoration at some stage. The two-tone paint is particularly neat. The majority of Chiefs have Indian Red finish with contrasting colors that highlight the shape of the valanced front fender beautifully. It’s unusual to consider a front fender a prime feature, but its shape and the Indian ornament sitting atop grab your attention.
The listing’s images include tight close-ups that reveal a machine in spectacular order. Details like the original, adjustable, oil-pump-driven distributor are a joy. Perhaps one or two areas, like the headlamp bezel, could be enhanced, but overall it looks spectacular and ready to roll.
Against the Odds
World War II was a busy time for America’s premier motorcycle manufacturers. Harley-Davidson’s WLA earned praise and adoration from the US armed forces. Indian found favor supplying Canadian and British troops with a variety of bikes.
Combined, both manufacturers contributed more than 100,000 machines to the war effort. Yet both faced serious challenges as they readjusted to post-war life. The Marshall Plan meant that steel and aluminum were in short supply. Harley-Davidson, at least, had some military surplus machines to sell to the public.
Indian, unlike Harley-Davidson, was accused of neglecting its dealers during the war. Its post-war plan included no four-cylinder or small-capacity V-twin machines. It looked like the new 1946 Indian Chief might be a dud. Instead, it became a legend.
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Cruising King
The Chief’s 40 horsepower isn’t impressive, especially with 550 pounds to lug around. Yet the 1,205-cc air-cooled engine has torque to burn. The motor is reliable, and the riding position is well-liked. The “plunger” rear suspension and “girder” front end give a smooth ride. The Chief’s ability to cross a developing America in comfort and style soon became widely admired.
Harley-Davidson barely kept going but staved off the invasion of cheaper British bikes in the 1950s. Indian struggled, despite a fine product. Production ceased in 1949 only to begin again the following year with a 1,300-cc motor. Production stopped again in 1953. The original Indian era was over. Yet few machines since have combined engineering and cutting-edge design with such delightful results.
