The earliest known photo of one of the final Indians to be built in Springfield, Massachusetts, taken inside Gene Townsend’ s cycle shop circa 1955.
THE LAST OF THE MOHICANS The odd and enduring story of one of the final Springfield Indians ever produced
Story & photos by Eric Trow
At the far end of the parts counter of Indian Sales & Service in New Salem, Pennsylvania, an old Bakelite rotary phone rang.
It may have been mid- 1953 or later that year. Or even 1954. By at least two accounts, it was as late as 1955. But by all accounts, a call came in from Springfield, Massachusetts, to longtime Indian motorcycle dealer Eugene“ Gene” Townsend after regular production of Indian motorcycles had ceased. The familiar voice on the other end of the line was a friend from the Indian factory, likely Erle“ Pop” Armstrong, who knew Gene and was responsible for Indian Assembly at the time. As
the story was always told, the caller presented Gene with an unexpected opportunity:“ Gene, we have enough parts left to assemble a handful of Chiefs. Do you think you might want one of them?”
Founded in 1901, Indian was once the largest motorcycle manufacturer in the world. The Indian
20 | OCTOBER / NOVEMBER 2025 | AMERICANRIDER. COM