Old Indian Never Die

Indians? In the holy land? The mere combination of this three words in one sentence sounds completely far fetched. So when I heard about a gathering of this legends here in Israel, I had to be there. 

Ok, A little bit of history first. The Indian Motorcycle Manufacturing Company was founded in 1901 at Springfield, Massachusetts. It was active 'till 1953 where it went bankrupt and from 1999 the brand came back to life (that's another story…). 

Well, you must be asking yourself "how the hell did this motorcycles arrived to this newly formed state, which has no motor culture to speak of, not to mention motorcycles or any vehicles at all?". 

In 1948, 12 Indian Chief 348 motorcycles were donated to "Tel Hashomer" hospital. Later on, the motorcycles where passed to the possesion of the president's guard, after that - the military police and finally to the Israely Air Force pilots. Since than, most of the motorcycles had disappeared and to this date only five survived (at least in a good shape). 

Back to the present. I told Arie about this gathering and there was no chance that we're gonna miss it. 

When we got there we saw them. The Indians… Ooh the Indians. I better let the pictures talk…

Lior

Old Indian Never Die ;)

This one is a military model which hasn't been restored.

1955 Norton 19S

Now this one is not what is seems. It's a chinese copy of a BMW.

They sure are!

Messerschmitt. Somewhat odd vehicle.

1950 Chrysler Windsor