America’s oldest moco has offered a wide range of Scout models in its more than 100-year history. The 1949 Super Scout would be one of the last models produced by Indian before closing its doors four years later. In addition to its Scout 250 (which is in fact powered by a 440cc Overhead-valve 4-stroke vertical twin engine, though some sources say 436cc), Indian offered the Super Scout which boasted some touring friendly features like crash bars, a center stand, and saddlebags. This example also wears original factory front and rear bumpers which are a rare add-on seldom still found on these bikes. The ’49 Super Scout featured a Magneto ignition, battery, and generator, a 4-speed chain drive transmission, and front and rear expanding shoe brakes.
Long before Indian attempted to attract a new generation of riders with its recently released Scout Bobber, the American marque offered another Scout variant aimed at novice riders; the Super Scout. Not only did Indian manage to nab a handful of notable celebrities of the era like actors and football players to pose on Indian’s for its advertisements, but these little models were marketed directly at new riders. One ad I managed to find – which featured Vaughn Monroe sitting on an Indian – states “You can learn to ride in 5 minutes”, leaving little question as to the demographic Indian was going after.
The example for sale currently was purchased from its original owner by the current seller who happens to be a mechanic and repair shop owner who was able to beautifully bring this 1949 machine back to life. Not only is this example said to run and drive perfectly, but, in the words of the seller: “every little screw on this bike is original.” The tank which had suffered a few dents over the years was recently redone, repainted and then slapped with original period-correct “stickers, Edison stamps and signature”.
This rare little Indian has only 2,600 original miles on the odo and was supposedly last ridden in 1969 before it’s recent restoration. Sadly these machines have been somewhat tarnished as they were unfairly blamed for the company’s 1953 demise along with Indian’s Arrow model when the reality is the circumstances were far more complex, albeit Indian’s small models did gain a reputation for not being the most reliable scoots. These smaller models from Indian were actually a fairly practical move with manufacturers like BSA and Triumph seeing success in importing their lightweight models into the US.
You can find this 1949 Indian Super Scout for sale here on Craigslist in New York City with a price of $13,000.