Fancy an Indian?

A 1921 Indian Powerplus motorcycle is one of the star lots in the Charterhouse auction of classic motorcycles and cars on Sunday, June 17.

“The name Indian is legendary in the motorcycle world,” commented Matthew Whitney, head of classic cars and motorcycles at Charterhouse. “They have always been cool and fast bikes, owned by the likes of Steve McQueen, but are more common to see on the plains of America rather on the twisty roads of Great Britain!”

At nearly 100 years old, the Indian going under the Charterhouse hammer is a 1921 Powerplus model. With its 1,000cc V-twin engine, producing a healthy 16hp in its day, mated to a three-speed hand change gearbox, this motorcycle has miraculously survived in an unrestored state and has the most wonderful patina that is impossible to re-create.

It was bought by the West Country farmer owner in 1975 with a view to restoring the bike over time. However, during the past 43 years of ownership, he has never ridden the bike. He did start to restore the motorcycle once but gave up after he replaced a rusty front wheel, deciding that it was such an original state that preservation was better than restoration, and pushed it back into his barn. It remained until Matthew Whitney recently visited the farmer and valued the Indian at £10,000-20,000 (plus 13.2% buyer’s premium – inc VAT) and it was entered into the sale.

The auction, on Sunday, June 17 at noon, is being held in conjunction with The Footman James Bristol Classic Car Show which attracts huge numbers of enthusiasts, collectors and dealers running on Saturday and Sunday June 16/17 at The Royal Bath & West Showground, Shepton Mallet.

Catalogues are available from Charterhouse in Sherborne or you can view the car and motorcycle lots and bid live on the internet via www.charterhouse-auction.com

For further information regarding this auction, or to enter a classic or vintage motorcycle into the Netley Marsh Motorcycle Auction on September 1, or a classic car into the Sherborne Castle Classic Car Show on July 15, contact Matthew Whitney or Naomi Grabham at Charterhouse, The Long Street Salerooms, Sherborne 01935 812277 or via email [email protected]