Gregor Wenner
Specialist Consultant
LOT 106
Exceptionally original 1941 Indian Four 1,279cc Model 441 Frame no. DDA294M Engine no. DDA294M
Estimate: €90,000 - €120,000
Lot 106
Exceptionally original , 1941 Indian Four 1,279cc Model 441
Exceptionally original
1941 Indian Four 1,279cc Model 441
Frame no. DDA294M
Engine no. DDA294M
1941 Indian Four 1,279cc Model 441
Frame no. DDA294M
Engine no. DDA294M
• The Duesenberg of motorcyles
• Only three owners from new
• Said to be very reliable and running well
• Registered in Belgium
• Only three owners from new
• Said to be very reliable and running well
• Registered in Belgium
Footnotes
Marketed as the Indian Ace for 1928, the Springfield company's first four-cylinder motorcycle had resulted from its purchase of Ace rights and tooling from Detroit Motors the previous year. The Ace company, although bankrupted twice, had developed a fundamentally sound four-cylinder motorcycle based on William Henderson's original design, and this provided Indian with an opportunity to offer an inline 'four' with minimal development costs.
The first Ace four had been offered late in 1919 for the 1920 season, and retained the 'F-head' (inlet-over-exhaust) valve gear of the original Henderson. Ace enjoyed considerable competition success, including a new transcontinental record and a new American motorcycle speed record of 129.61mph, but these achievements were not matched by sales and the company went bust in 1924.
By 1926 the reconstituted firm was owned by Detroit motors, from which it was bought by Indian January '27. The Indian Ace changed little for the next couple of years before the Springfield firm began to put its own characteristic stamp on the Four. This transformation began with a re-style for the 1929 season (Model 401) followed by a new Indian-style twin down-tube frame, leaf-sprung front fork and a five-main-bearing crankshaft on the Model 402. Introduced on 1st June 1929, the latter was the biggest single change made to the motor up to mid-1935 when the so-called 'upside down' Four was introduced. Reversing the conventional 'F-head' arrangement, the latter featured overhead exhaust valves with inlets at the side, the theory being that this would provide better cooling and thus increased power. In practice the layout proved somewhat impractical – the exhaust tended to fry the rider's leg despite the heat shield – and few liked the new Four's looks. Updated with twin carburettors for the 1937 model year, it was missing from the '38 catalogue, replaced by a new 78ci (1,279cc) Four that restored the valves to their old positions. Changes after 1938 were few. Production of the Indian Four, America's last four-cylinder motorcycle, ceased in 1942.
One of the world's most beautiful and collectible motorcycles, this exceptionally original Indian Four is presented in generally very good condition and is currently in the hands of only its third owner. The machine had been delivered to the original owner - 'Nick' - in April 1941. Nick was a police officer in a small town in Illinois. He had ordered a 1940 Chief but was notified that his order did not make the production run. Instead, the dealer offered him a bike from the next factory run of Fours. All Nick had to do was provide a letter from his police chief stating that the bike was going to be used on the job, and his order would be added to the Chicago PD order.
This Indian Four was Nick's only transportation for many years. He rode it to Seattle after the war when he moved there, and to San Diego when he moved there. He also used it to transport materials when he dug a well at his property in Escondido. This Indian Four was discovered on the SoCal AMCA Winter Road Run at Nick's house in Salton City. The second owner purchased the Indian from the Nick in 1994; its current owner lives in Belgium and bought the Indian in the USA, where specialist Tim Grabber recommended the bike as a "true ++" example.
The vendor advises us that the sheet metal is excellent with only a few dings. The Indian is said to be very reliable, starting first kick every time. Oil pressure is 38psi at speed when warm, 12psi at idle warm. Benefiting from some mechanical work carried out in 2016, the machine uses one quart of oil every 100 miles and is said to run straight and smooth. It has completed numerous AMCA road runs and daily rides without any difficulty or problem. Notable features include special 'orange marmalade' handlebar grips; a 4" 'sewer' exhaust pipe; and a new buddy seat by Heather's Leathers.
On file are 20-plus original photographs of the Indian Four taken while it was in Nick's care. These include images of Nick and his new bride three weeks after the machine's delivery; Nick and his second wife with the bike; and Nick's last ride on it. The machine also comes with a service manual; parts manual; some miscellaneous paperwork; and Belgian registration documents.
Additional information
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