Indian Scout Big Base
Indian Scout Big Base
One of the fifty 1948 “Big Base” Scouts originally built by the Indian factory. The 50 made were numbered 101-150; this motorcycle has an engine number of FDH116.
Originally owned and raced by Bob Lutz in the greaterMidwestfrom 1948-1965. He crashed hard in 1965, and gave up racing, intending on restoring the bike back to original some day. Bob had originally called the bike the “Goat.” Originally it was painted bright green (as evidenced by the spare hill climb wheel). Bob had modified the bike for dirt track racing, by using a lighter “junior scout” front end, tank, and removal of all road racing equipment. He used a 2 into 1 exhaust system which he claimed resulted in more low end torque, needed for dirt track racing.
Only 50 of these 648 Scouts were made by Indian Motorcycle Company for sale to “existing Indian racers.” They were not sold to the general public. It is not known how many of the 50 bikes originally produced survive today. Some estimate seven, of which five are in road racing trim, and two are dirt track racers, this being one of the two.
Sold with a Bill of Sale.
