Indian Motorcycle, America’s first motorcycle company, has announced it will exhibit at this year’s Rétromobile as the event reserves exhibition space for exceptional motorcycles for the first time in its 48th edition at Paris Expo Porte de Versailles from January 31 to February 4, 2024.
Rétromobile is the annual meeting place for vehicle enthusiasts and collectors and among the highlights that will punctuate this edition, the great news of the 2024 vintage is that Rétromobile will offer lovers of two wheels the opportunity to discover an area specially dedicated to collector’s motorcycles. A perfect fit for Indian Motorcycle which has so much to tell about its history, its legendary models and its competition victories.
The Rétromobile show has always welcomed motorcycle manufacturers, dealers specialising in collector’s motorcycles, auctions and exhibitions bringing together some of the most beautiful machines of the 20th century. But in a first for the event, no less than 2,000 m2 will be exclusively devoted to two wheels, bringing together manufacturers and accessories manufacturers in hall 2.2, the heart of the show near the Artcurial stand, and will be centred around a unique motorcycle exhibition.
“The team at Rétromobile all love collector’s vehicles, and that of course includes motorcycles which have also marked the history of locomotion. This passion is shared by at least 29% of our visitors who already own collectable motorcycles. The retrospective during our 47th edition dedicated to the centenary of the historic French motorcycle brand Dollar, widely acclaimed in 2023, convinced us to bring together two-wheel players within the same area and give them pride of place for future editions. As for the other aisles of the show, the two watchwords will be passion and conviviality,” says Romain Grabowski, Director of Rétromobile.
An exceptional brand for a historic first
When Romain Grabowski proposed participation to Indian Motorcycle, the response was immediately positive. Indeed, founded in 1901, Indian Motorcycle is America’s first motorcycle company. It has captured the hearts of bikers around the world and distinguished itself as one of America’s most legendary and iconic brands.
Indian Motorcycle’s heritage and passion for motorcycles have been revived in the modern era under new management and has reestablished a significant place among premium brands.
A little history…
In 1897, George Hendee founded a bicycle manufacturing company called “Hendee Manufacturing Company.” One of the bikes bore the name “American Indian,” shortened to “Indian” which became Hendee’s main brand: a legend was born.
To spice up bicycle racing, George Hendee joined forces with Oscar Hedstrom to build motorised bicycles. The first “Indian” was born. Together they created the Indian Motorcycle Manufacturing Company. 1901, the birth of Indian Motorcycle. A year later, the first Indian Motorcycle model was sold to the public.
What followed was a world speed record, the creation of the first American-produced V-twin engine, Indian Motorcycle equips the New York police, export of the brand to England, the first commitment to Tourist Trophy, then the first successes in competition. Indian Motorcycle riders break all the speed and distance records in the United States. Indian Motorcycle sweeps the podium at the Isle of Man in the first running on the Mountain course.
Indian Motorcycle can boast many technical innovations. Offering rear suspension in 1913 and the first motorcycle to be equipped with headlights and a starter in the following year. Various lives followed for the company until the takeover of the brand by Polaris in 2013. That year, a new era began with the launch of the Thunderstroke 111 engine. And, for more than 10 years, this premium brand has been delighting more and more bikers who enjoy living their passion for motorcycling on the handlebars of an Indian Motorcycle.
Meet at Rétromobile
It is at the heart of this Rétromobile space, dedicated to motorcycles, that Indian Motorcycle will tell its story by presenting some of its emblematic models. A classic versions and a modern versions will be exhibited in mirror pairs allow visitors to discover and understand the entire heritage of Indian Motorcycle.
It is a passionate and great collector of the brand, Guy Baster who, by exhibiting some rare models from his museum (located in Riom in 63), allows this fantastic display.
You will discover the following four classic /modern duos:
- A classc boardtracker and an FTR Carbon
- A classic Chief and its reimagined modern version
- A classic Scout and the current Scout, the brand’s best-seller
- A classic 4-cylinder and the modern Pursuit
