Gilroy Indians

A comprehensive, illustrated history of the Indian Motorcycle Company of America in Gilroy, California, which revived an iconic and beloved brand.



The Indian Motorcycle Company, based in Gilroy, California, revived and renewed an iconic brand. Indian Motorcycle was once the largest and best-known bike company in the world but ceased manufacture in 1953, permanently. Forty-six years later, the Indians of Gilroy brought the brand back. Although the company survived for just five years (1999-2003), it was responsible for resurrecting the Indian brand into a single legal entity after years of other abortive attempts at rival and the resulting chaos.



The launching of the Gilroy operation amidst fierce legal competition from other groups, its struggle to develop an all-Indian motorcycle, its hand-to-mouth operation, and its final collapse is a fascinating story. The 13,000 motorcycles built at Gilroy have a cult following.



This is the only comprehensive, illustrated history of the Gilroy Indian motorcycles. It also provides an intimate look at the short, tumultuous life of the business behind the bikes. Author George Paul traveled extensively to photograph the best Gilroy Indian collections and interviewed several of the major personalities behind the IMCOA brand.