Indian 'Final Edition' released in US

Announced on December 7, 2012, the release of the Final Edition marks the end of the Kings Mountain era of Indian ahead of a new Indian Motorcycle model range to be released under the leadership of Polaris Industries, who purchased Indian in 2011.

Only available in the US and Canada, and built in a limited edition run, the Chief Vintage Final Edition was unveiled before a gathering of the motorcycle industry press at December's International Motorcycle Show in Long Beach, California.

Powered by the modern Indian PowerPlus 105ci engine, the historic 2013 model will be manufactured in an extremely limited run. Actual production numbers haven't been revealed, but each unit will wear a custom-designed, numbered emblem on the frame

The Final Edition's exclusive Indian Red, Thunder Black, and Gold Pinstripe paint is inspired by an Indian Chief displayed at the 1939 New York World's Fair. Fully loaded with accessories, the 2013 Indian Chief Final Edition features: auxiliary driving lamps; black leather solo seat with included detachable passenger seat; windshield; black leather saddlebags; chrome grab rail; leather fringe; engine guards; and chrome fender tips.

The Final Edition will join a five-strong Indian model lineup for 2013, little changed from the past year's offerings, while Polaris Industries work on building a new model range, which presumably will debut in 2014. Sold in the USA and Canada only, pricing for the 2013 Indian Chief Vintage Final Edition has been listed at US$37,599 + ORCs.

"We knew it was important to honour and celebrate the long and proud heritage of Indian Motorcycle, and the Kings Mountain era played a key role in that continuing history," said Steve Menneto, Vice President of Motorcycles at parent company Polaris Industries, on the unveiling of the Chief Vintage Final Edition.

"When we acquired the Indian Motorcycle brand in 2011, our strategy was to retain the existing design, quality and high level of detail for which Indian Motorcycle has always been known, while making significant detail improvements in order to satisfy the continued demand from Indian Motorcycle dealers.

"The Final Edition is an acknowledgement of our gratitude to the team at Kings Mountain for sustaining the Indian Motorcycle story and its heritage as America's original motorcycle brand."

Indian's assembly line in Kings Mountain, North Carolina was transitioned to Polaris' Spirit Lake, Iowa production facility in 2011. The line was transported and returned to full operation in eight weeks, and continued to produce new units for the Indian Motorcycle dealer base. Indian production will be incorporated into the state-of-the-art Spirit Lake plant which also manufactures Polaris Rangers and Victory Motorcycles.