The 1946 Indian Chief, like this stunning, meticulously restored example, marked Indian’s awaited return to civilian production following World War II. Moreover, it signaled the beginning of a new era for the historic Springfield company as its previous steward, E. Paul du Pont, relinquished his stake to a new group of investors headed up by industrialist Ralph Rogers the year before. Rogers took the reins of America’s oldest motorcycle company, and for its sole offering in 1946, he chose the beloved Chief to represent its revival. Still, the motorcycle market was changing as a flood of imported European brands hit America’s shores, incentivized by relaxed trade agreements and enthusiasts desiring lighter, more advanced and significantly more affordable machines pouring in from England. Moreover, brands like Matchless, BSA and Triumph offered novel features like overhead-valve engines, compact unit construction and full-suspension machines that quickly gained favor with domestic riders. Even Indian’s only domestic rival, Harley-Davidson, had been eating up market share with its OHV V-twin Knucklehead since the late 1930s while Indian stood firm with its proven but dated line of side-valve V-twins. Rogers was keen to embrace the future of motorcycling, which, from his perspective, meant reimagining Indian and adopting the latest technologies. However, retooling an entire company would take time and money. So, for its first year back from the war, Indian relied on its Big Twin Chief to bridge the gap. The result was the 1946 Chief model 346, an icon of American motorcycling but with little change from its prewar configuration. Indian’s stout and reliable 74 CI side-valve V-twin and right-side hand-shifted gearbox returned along with the Chief’s Auto-Lite distributor ignition and Linkert carburetor. The updated fork joined Indian’s “Spring Frame” full suspension chassis, still the only American motorcycle available with such comfort. Of course, the iconic teardrop tank and elegant fully-skirted fenders remained a signature of the Indian Chief, and as wartime material shortages began to lift, stainless trim pieces and chrome-plated components returned to further elevate this timeless machine. Meticulously restored by a nationally recognized Indian restorer, this 1946 Indian Chief is a truly impressive example, with only the exhaust, battery and tire being reproduction items. With the 1946 Chief, Indian reestablished its place in the American motorcycle market, celebrating its heritage while navigating the challenges of a rapidly changing motorcycle market. S226 1946 Indian Chief
