One-of-a-kind Indian Traffic Car donated to museum

February 4, 2000 -- What would you pay for a 1939 Indian Traffic Car? What about one that's considered by many to be the best example of this rare three-wheel delivery motorcycle? If its reserve price of $150,000 at the recent Sotheby's auction in Chicago was too rich for your blood, don't despair -- you can now see the very same bike on display at the Motorcycle Hall of Fame Museum at AMA headquarters in Pickerington, Ohio.

Donated by Fred Dauer, this rare motorcycle was owned by Norman Bent's Cycle Shop, in Green Bay, Wis., and remains in original, unrestored condition. Bent used the car not only as viable transportation, but also as an advertising billboard for his growing bicycle and motorcycle shop. In fact, Bent's Traffic Car made him a favorite of townspeople and newspapers.

The unique vehicle, like all Indian Traffic Cars, has a robust Indian-designed mini-van body attached to a factory-built subframe and features heavy oak flooring, a 20-gauge steel outer shell over an oak framework and a plywood roof covered with canvas. Estimates have the machine's total weight between 800-1,000 pounds. The Traffic Car is powered by a ’39 Indian Chief side-valve, 42-degree, 73-cubic-inch V-twin engine and uses an adapted standard Chief frame.

The paint is in the original "World's Fair" colors, a factory option. The "van" as it was affectionately known to family and friends, is in excellent working condition and has a three-speed transmission with reverse. Only minor repairs and slight restoration have been done over the years.

Few Traffic Cars still exist, and none are known to be in as original a state as this one. The Traffic Car will soon be put on display in the Motorcycle Hall of Fame Museum.