Initially founded in 1901 in Springfield, Massachusetts, Indian is one of the earliest and most iconic American motorcycle brands, renowned for its legacy of innovation and racing dominance. However, despite its success in the first half of the 20th century, the storied marque fell on hard times following WWII. After the company’s demise in 1953, devout enthusiasts and keen businessmen made numerous ill-fated attempts to revive the brand. Still, it wasn’t until the Indian Motorcycle Company of America was established in Gilroy, California, in 1999 that a substantial effort began to restore Indian’s legacy. The revitalized brand set out to capture the spirit of the original marque while infusing modern engineering, aiming to compete with its historic rival Harley-Davidson and the proliferation of Japanese-built, American-style cruisers on the market at the time. The relaunch included three distinct models, two based on classic models. The first of its classic- inspired offerings was Indian’s flagship, the big-twin Chief, the other iconic and nimble middleweight Scout, both joined by an entry-level model designated the Spirit. For the Scout, the company focused on connecting the modern machine with the DNA of its legendary namesake as a powerful, agile and stylish motorcycle. Produced between 2001 and 2003, the new “Gilroy” Scouts were manufactured with a distinctive blend of retro styling and contemporary performance. They featured a powerful 88 CI (1,442cc) V-twin engine provided by S&S and a 5-speed foot-shifted gearbox. The motorcycle’s design was a nod to Indian’s past, with a teardrop gas tank, streamlined fenders, classic badging and emblematic touches like its Indian head front fender light. However, the Scout also incorporated advancements befitting such a modern motorcycle, such as improved hydraulic front and rear suspension and disc brakes, making it a capable and stylish ride for the new millennium. Still, despite its favorable reception by the enthusiast community, the Indian Motorcycle Company of America faced financial challenges with its ambitious reboot and ceased operations in 2003. Yet, this revival paved the way for future iterations of the brand, as with the successful Polaris Industries reboot in 2011, making the Gilroy Indians a desirable and integral piece of this historic American brand. T140 2003 Indian Scout
