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Indian Motorcycle Company Unveils Flagship Indian Chief Vintage at Daytona Bike Week

    DAYTONA BEACH, Fla.--March 10, 2003--Despite the unusually soggy weather that greeted motorcyclists from around the world at the start of this year's Daytona Beach Bike Week, the public debut of Indian Motorcycle Corporation's flagship model warmed onlookers who wanted the first peek at the company's newest and most impressive American V-twin cruiser.
    Bike Week is one of the largest and most entertaining motorcycling events in the world attracting over 250,000 enthusiastic bikers each year. It was a dramatic backdrop for the first public appearance of the Indian(R) Chief(R) Vintage, the newest creation from Indian Motorcycle Corporation. One of America's most revered brands, Indian Motorcycle is the first name in American motorcycles, dating back to 1901 when the first Indian motorcycle was produced.
    The crowd reaction to the new Chief(R) Vintage was very positive with many declaring it "the most authentic American cruiser to come along in 50 years."

    Key Features

    The heart of the Chief Vintage is the Powerplus(TM) 100 cubic-inch (1638cc) 45-degree, V-twin engine designed and developed by Indian. Distinctive and unique to Indian, the serrated appearance of the polished rocker boxes and rounded cylinders pay tribute to Indian's past. This combination gives the engine a strong, unique profile, while the rounded cylinders increase the area of the cooling fins for improved air circulation and engine cooling.
    New with the Chief Vintage are a handcrafted leather seat and saddlebags, a "vintage-cut" windshield and chrome engine guards similar to those found on Indian motorcycles in the 30s, 40s and 50s.
    The seat and saddlebags are also available in brown leather as a further tip to the past. Prominent, ornate horn covers were popular in the 30s and 40s and became an appealing focal point on Indian motorcycles. The Chief Vintage incorporates a powerful, low-tone horn adorned with a large sculpted 5-inch diameter polished chrome finish horn cover with an Indian script design.
    Another key feature of Indian Chief motorcycles is the unmistakable, full-body profile and sculpted full-valance fenders. The Chief Vintage comes with die-cast aluminum fender tips in the front and rear that have a durable chrome finish. Enormously popular in the 40s, the fender tips are styled with a distinctive, raised center ridge, curving into the flowing lines of the Chief Vintage's valanced fenders.
    The Chief Vintage is offered in two luxurious paint colors: Jet Black and Century Red. These two colors were prominent throughout Indian's history with red becoming synonymous with the Indian brand. Manufacturer's suggested list price is $24,995. The 2003 Indian Chief Vintage will be available at local Indian Motorcycle dealers beginning this week. There are more than 200 Indian motorcycle dealers in the United States and Canada.

    About Indian Motorcycle Corporation

    Indian Motorcycle Corporation, based in Gilroy, California, was formed in 1998 to re-launch an American icon. The original Indian Motorcycle Company built the first American-made motorcycle in 1901. The Indian brand is well known to motorcycle enthusiasts because of its reputation for innovation and distinctive styling. Indian currently designs, manufactures and markets a full line of premium heavyweight motorcycles and a broad range of related products, parts, accessories, riding gear and lifestyle apparel. For more information on Indian motorcycles, please visit www.indianmotorcycle.com.

    Indian, Chief, Scout, Indian Spirit, Powerplus, script Indian, Indian Motorcycle, Indian Riders Group, the skirted fender and war bonnet lamp designs and the logos are trademarks and registered trademarks of IMCOA Licensing America, Inc. in the U.S. and Foreign countries. (C) 2003 Indian Motorcycle Corporation.