Family Heirloom:
Best in Show

Story by Lance Oliver, photos by Richard Ried

October 9, 2004 – All the motorcycles in the annual Motorcycle Hall of Fame Museum Concours d'Elegance are links to the past. But Kenneth Minnich's impeccably restored 1936 Indian Four represents a tie to his own family history that he could never put a price tag on.

"My father always had two or three motorcycles around, and Indians were his favorite," says Minnich. Among the bikes his father, Paul Minnich, left behind were two partially disassembled Indian Fours.

With the help of the father-son team of John and Tony Morozowsky, the parts were catalogued and a concours-quality restoration was begun. The work stretched over two and a half years.

Almost as many hours went into research as were spent on the hands-on work of the restoration. Tony found some paint inside the bodywork that was not badly faded, and used a spectrometer to create an exact match to the 1936 Indian "Mohawk green" hue. He found a wiring diagram to make sure that the wires were the original colors.

Meanwhile, John rebuilt the engine, including fabrication of missing parts that were needed, including the unique dual exhaust which appeared on the Indian Four only in 1936 and 1937. That model was also the first Indian with a brake light.

The result is a stunning and unique motorcycle that recently was awarded a rating of 99.5 on a scale of 100 by Antique Motorcycle Club of America judges.

But more than a collector's item, for Minnich it's an irreplaceable family heirloom and a priceless tie to his late father.

"I've been offered six figures for it, by a young Philadelphia lawyer who saw it at a show," says Minnich. "I said I'd talk to him all he wanted about the bike, but if he brought up money, I wouldn't talk to him any more. It's just something personal to me."

Minnich will now take custody for one year of the Jim Davis Best In Show Award traveling trophy, which bears the names of the winners in each of the Concours d'Elegance held as part of the Museum's annual Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony weekend.

At right is a complete list of all the award winners.

Scenes from the Third Annual Motorcycle Hall of Fame Museum Concours d'Elegance

First and second place winners in the Japanese Late class, a pair of 1975 CB400F Supersports, both owned by Steve Passwater.	There was no shortage of fine machinery in the British classes.	First place, Special and Custom: a tidy cafe racer based on a 1972 Triumph owned by Don Sherman.
Third place, Early Competition. Jim Oldiges and his XR750.	First place, European. Peter Calles' 1962 Ducati Mach I.	Third Place, Japanese Late. Larry Ralston and his 1975 Honda Gold Wing.
Saddled-up and ready to ride. Who says a show bike can't be a runner?	Long-time museum supporters Mike and Margaret Wilson (right) with Keith Fletcher and his Harley Servicar.	Gene Brown's 1938 Brough Superior SS 80. First place, British Early.
Tank art on Larry McGuire's 1952 Harley-Davison Hydraglide.	Gene Brown's other entry, a 1954 Vincent Black Shadow, took second place, British Early.	Not all the classic machinery was entered in the concours, as this touring Vincent spotted in the parking lot demonstrates.

© 2004, American Motorcyclist Association