Aside from a thorough shakedown run and just one show (it won), the world has yet to see this superlative 1938 Indian Chief recently for sale on eBay.
Lifelong Passion
Tony Mills is the retired proprietor of an award-winning paint shop in Tulsa, Okla. What you see here is the result of meticulous attention to detail driven by an unbridled lifelong passion for motorcycles, Indians in particular. Mills said:
I have some Harley-Davidsons, but I’m way deeper into my Indians.
The detailed description in the listing covers the Indian’s story. In a nutshell, Mills put a numbers-matching (original engine and transmission casings), all-time-great American motorcycle through a no-expense-spared, concours-standard restoration.
Best in Show
Mills is serious when he says that no expense was spared. One example of this is the Indian’s gorgeous nickel plating. Mills said:
There’s no nickel paint on this bike. We didn’t want any of that, even if the minimum plating order value meant that we really had to spend some money on that job. If one piece was damaged or marked, it had to go back to be done properly.
The result of this dedication to excellence is a machine that scooped “Best in Show” ahead of around 300 other bikes at a meet in Kansas. Apart from that auspicious excursion, the bike was only ridden for shakedown purposes. The decades of experience shine through. Mills explained:
I got that bike dialed in good. All the controls are like butter. Starting it up, selecting gears—it’s so smooth.
So Special
With skills and experience like Mills has, there’s only so much room for modesty.
Mills said:
You’ll be hard-pressed to find one as nice as this. It’s so special. The paint—everything. But I’m on the lookout for a 1938 Indian Chief four cylinder if anybody has one.
Hail to the Chief
As part of the prestigious one-two-three finish for Indian at the 1911 Isle of Man TT Races - opens in new window or tab., Charles Franklin had working knowledge of how to make motorcycles fast, strong, and reliable. He put this broad experience to epic use when he designed the Scout and the Chief for Indian.
Both popular bikes were known to take punishment. The infamous Indian Wrecking Crew of factory riders dominated better-equipped machines from Milwaukee at races into the early 1950s.
The road-going machines were equally storied. The 1,000-cc V-twin was good for 85 mph when new. Skilled tuners of the day could stretch this figure closer to 100.
This bike is likely to hit its top speed inside an enclosed trailer from now on as it travels to amaze masses of bike fans. It might return home a bit slower due to the silverware going with it. You could score extra points by wearing this vintage Iron Horse leather Indian motorcycle jacket - opens in new window or tab..
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