October 11th 2015 Premier Automobile Sale
This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 10/10/2015
The beautifully restored Model 30.50 Indian Motocyle was acquired from John and Peggy Culbertson of the Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania area in 1998. John was a recently retired banker, and Peggy, a retired school teacher. By meeting these two individuals as the result of an ad placed in a national Antique Motorcycle publication, we not only ended up owning a truly historic “Indian Red” motocycle, but also became wonder and lasting friends of the Culbertsons.Over the years, my wife Ginny and I would show our motocycle at the Hershey meet and also the prestigious Franklin Mint auto show near Philadelphia. Each year John and Peggy would take the PA turnpike from Pittsburgh to also share in the event. Peggy had a very personal and unique attachment to the old machine and would look forward to sharing her cherished memories and knowledge with the many inquisitive spectators visiting the show.In 1895, Peggy’s father, Mr. Arthur D Seib was born and raised on the farm of a notable and affluent businessman in Erie, Pa who had intended to someday use his country estate as a retreat throughout his golden years. However, due to unforeseen circumstances, these plans of solitude never came to fruition. Because of this occurrence, Arthur’s father, Peter Seib was retained to manage and oversee the spacious complex which would also allow the Seib family to live within and care for the property.During the year 1913, and with the arrival of early motorcycles swiftly becoming the trend, 18 year old Arthur Seib decided that he wanted a new Indian Motocycle so as to provide transportation between the farm and his place of employment.Indian was one of the top contenders among the many motorcycle manufacturers of the time. Motorcycles were thought to be somewhat more advanced and more tested than automobiles of that early era, not to mention their lower and more affordable price. With the addition of a side car and rear mounted saddle, a young family of four could take part in experience this new and exciting age of motorized transportation.Returning to the year 1913: With much deliberation on his behalf, young Arthur decided that he would purchase a new Indian motocycle from the local Indian dealer LeJeal C&M Works, then located at 1721-23 Sassafras Street in downtown Erie. The model 30.50 single cylinder Indian which he wanted, however, was not in dealer stock at the time and one would need to be ordered from it’s make, the Hendee Manufacturing Company located in Springfield, Massachusetts and then shipped via rail to Erie, PA.On April 4th, 1913, Arthur signed an Agreement of Sale and made a deposit of $25.00 to the LeJeal C&M Works so that his new $200.00 motocycle could be placed on order. The Indian was ordered and was eventually shipped secured in a huge wooden crate from Hendee Manufacturing addressed direct to Arthur himself. With much anxiety regarding the long awaited arrival of his new Indian Red motocycle, Arthur now had the stirring task of unpacking and revealing the wonderful 380 pound machine.Upon opening the crate, the motocycle was found to be completely assembled with the exception of the handlebars, saddle and pedals. After painstakingly removing the new Indian and hastily paging through the operator’s and assembly manual, the new items were installed. Both gasoline and engine oil were added to their appropriate tanks, and at last, the engine was primed and started. With the gathering of family and all eagerly waiting for his departure, young Arthur proudly mounted his newly purchased motocycle and cautiously proceeded down the farm’s familiar and twisty dirt lane, while at the same time, carefully increasing his speed and briskly dashing away.After several days of riding his new Indian, Arthur soon realized that some much need accessories would be in order for the motocycle. Those items would comprise of a front mounted acetylene headlamp, a tire pump, a rubber bulb type air horn and a rear tire chain for tackling the muddy roads of those times. These items were later purchases through LeJeal. Arthur cherished and road his motocycle into the year 1916, about the time America was entering World War I. The motocycle, still wearing its Pennsylvania license plate number 9775, was then put into storage with the large farm house. It would remain their until the late 1920’s, when at that time, Mr. Seib would leave the farm complex and move to his new home in Erie. His old Indian companion, of course, would accompany him.MANY YEARS LATER: John Culberson, after meeting and eventually marrying Peggy Seib in 1955, developed a great and inquisitive interest in the very old motorcycle which now occupied a spot in his father-in-laws basement. Therefore, the authenticated and appealing history of the 1913 Indian as it bad been passed on to John by Mr. Seib.Peggy had mentioned to John that the old motocycle had been such a permanent fixture in her family’s basement for so many years, that she rarely gave it any thought. I had always been stored in a dimly lighted corner of the furnace room seldom attracting anyone’s attention.Prior to Mr. Seib’s death in 1985, John and Peggy persuaded Peggy’s father to reassemble the old Indian, as certain parts had been carefully removed over the years and stored in boxes. A colorful note to this story isthat some time after the motocycle was put into storage, Mr. Seib decided to build a garden cultivator using the very famous 4 HP Hedstrom engine from the motocycle as the power source for his novel creation!After reassembling the various parts to the motocycle, the old Indian was now totally complete as originally manufactured. To this day, the signed and dated April 4th, 1913 Agreement of Sale, Original Operator’s Manual, Indian Tool Kit, Tire Pump, Rubber Bulb Type Horn, Rear Tire Chain and Original Photographs of Mr. Seib astride his new Indian are still with the motocycle. Putting aside and saving these items for so many years was quite commonplace of Mr. Seib’s generation.Some time after the death of Mr. Seib in 1985, John and Peggy decided that the old motocycle should be professionally restored in memory of Peggy’s father, and that this task should be a family endeavor.After two and a half years of enduring effort and determination of acclaimed Indian Historian and Restorer Mr. Sylvester Boyacheck of Union City, Pennsylvania, and with the support of innumerable specialty shops throughout the country, along with friends and family, the rebirth of Mr. Seib’s 1913 Indian Motocycle had definitely become a reality.Mr. Seib’s Indian is the only motorcycle to ever grace the cover of the AACA’s bi-monthly magazine. July/August 2014.What more can be said than this is the most documented and finest 1913 Indian Motocyle that exists in the world today. Words cannot describe the quality and detail of the restoration. It is simply the “best of the best!”• Rare original spares as purchased from selling dealer• Promotional material from that era included• Fully documented from day one• Meticulous attention to detail and originality