Lot 109: 1937/1947 Indian 74ci Chief ‘Hollister Special’

Mike Corbin commissioned this unique motorcycle to celebrate the rebirth of the Hollister rally in 1997, 50 years after the notorious ‘Hollister incident’. Mike’s factory was in Hollister so it was only natural that he would want to be involved. One of the pivotal events in post-war American culture, the so-called ‘Hollister incident’ occurred when bikers attending the Gyspy Tour rally over the 4th of July holiday weekend went on a drunken rampage - riding into bars, racing up and down main street and generally terrifying the local citizenry. This now mythical event inspired the motion picture, The Wild One, starring Marlon Brando and Lee Marvin, and effectively established the biker’s image as that of rebellious outsider, a figure attracting loathing and envy in equal measure. The Hollister rally had been organised by the AMA, which later famously stated that the disorder had been caused by ‘one percent’ of those attending, thus giving rise to the term ‘one percenters’ to describe ‘outlaw’ bikers. ‘Those attending’ were mainly young WWII veterans seeking to recapture some of the excitement and camaraderie they had enjoyed on active service. Choppers had yet to appear, so the machines they rode were - typically - cut-down bobbers, many of which would be raced in hare scrambles at the nearby Bolado track.

Mike Corbin wanted a machine of this type, which would accurately reflect the style of the ’47 Hollister bikes. The ‘1947’ theme had to be incorporated somehow, but post-war Chiefs had plunger suspension whereas contemporary racers did not, so Mike opted for a ’47 motor and ’37 hardtail frame. Foremost Indian restoration specialist Pete Bollenbach, of Illinois, was commissioned to build Mike’s Hollister bike which, when completed, was ridden by its proud owner from his house to the rally and in the parade celebrating its return to the town. Presented in excellent condition, having covered only 215 miles since restoration, the machine features a California ’47 license plate and is the actual bobber depicted on the official Hollister Rally logo. As featured in Barnett’s Motorcycle Showcase (October 2005 edition, copy available) it is offered with restoration invoice and related correspondence, together with a condition report. Sold on a Bill of Sale.

Without reserve