Description
This motorcycle is Lot 316 - To be auctioned by Bonhams at The Spring Stafford Sale (The International Classic MotorCycle Show) on 26th & 27th April, please see the Bonhams website for full details.
Auction Timings:
Lots 101 - 147 are to be sold from 14:00 on Saturday 26th April 2025.
Lots 201 - 410 are to be sold from 11:00 on Sunday 27th April 2025.
Public Viewing:
Available 26th & 27th April 2025 from 09:00 until 17:00, at The Stafford County Showground (The International Classic MotorCycle Show).
Lot 316
The Connoisseurs Collection
1937 Indian 78ci Four Model 437
Registration no.
Frame no. none
Engine no. D. C. G. 375M (appears restamped)
Restored in the USA
Concours winner in the 1980s
Purchased for the collection in 2001
Requires recommissioning following a period of inactivity
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 in 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 restyle 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 restored 'upside down' Indian Four was a National 1st prize winner at the Antique Automobile Club of America in 1982, and also won the Easy Rider Trophy at the Del Mar Concours d'Elegance in California. It is featured on the front cover of Indian Motorcycles by Hatfield and Hallberstadt and on pages 66 and 68. Notable features include a Corbin speedometer; Edison-Splitdorf Type C magneto; Auto-Lite dynamo; and twin Zenith carburettors. It should be noted that the saddle is dry and has cracked, and that the tank has deteriorated and has a hole in it.
The Indian was purchased for the collection at an auction in Chicago in 2001 (the seller was well known collector Don Whalen). Accompanying documentation consists of a 1997 State of New Jersey Certificate of Title and a photocopy of the aforementioned auction catalogue page. Following a period of inactivity, this motorcycle will require recommissioning before returning to the road and thus is sold strictly as viewed. Offered with key.
All lots are sold 'as is/ where is' and Bidders must satisfy themselves as to the provenance, condition, age, completeness and originality prior to bidding. Visit the Bonhams Motorcycles website for all pertinent auction information.
