1945 Indian Motorcycle “Chief”

MANUFACTURER: Indian Motorcycle
Manufacturing Company

MODEL: 345 “Chief”

CHASSIS Number: 345806

ENGINE Number: CDA387

ENGINE: 74 cubic inch flathead V-Twin

TRANSMISSION: Hand-shifted three speed, with foot-operated clutch

NUMBER BUILT: 33,000 during World War II
(All Indian models)

America’s oldest motorcycle brand, the company was founded as the Hendee Manufacturing Company by George M. Hendee and Carl Oscar Hedstrom in Springfield, Massachusetts in 1901, two years before Harley-Davidson Motor Company.

During World War II, Chiefs served as military couriers and scout transports.