Indian Sport Scout (1940) in Red & White (1:12 scale)
- In 1901 George Hendee & Oscar Hedstrom founded the company Indian in Springfield (Massachusetts). Worldwide Indian was the first producer of motorcycles in series & due to the accomplished technical developments they were able to keep the technological advantage for a long time. The production was focused mainly on large scale V double cylinder engines with flathead steering. Harley Davidson, who was the largest competitor at that time, had an almost identical concept. Due to a major order by the US military, they were able to produce considerably more motor cycles & survived until today.
Indian, which had a superior technology & better brand image was inferior & in 1953 had to declare bankruptcy. Afterwards different English motorcycles (Royal Enfield, AJS & Matchless) were sold under the brand name Indian. After a number of unsuccessful tries, Indian was reopened in North Carolina in 2006 under the name of Indian Motorcycle Company. At this facility classic styled Indian-Chiefs with V 2 engines & high cylinder capacity are produced.