Indian Motorcycles and Jack Daniel's Raise $30K for U.S. Military Personnel and Their Families

The Indian Motorcycle company announced recently that its one-of-a-kind custom 2014 Chief Vintage that was created in support of the “Operation Ride Home” program for the benefit of U.S. Armed Forces personnel and their families, sold on the auction block on January 19th. This unique motorcycle, featuring the lowest publically available 2014 vehicle identification number (VIN), was sold at auction for $30,000 by Barrett-Jackson in Scottsdale, AZ, and the full auction price has been donated through Jack Daniel’s Whisky and Indian Motorcycle to the Armed Services YMCA program Operation Ride Home. The winning bidder was George Munsterman and wife Mary Brinckerhoff of New York. MSRP for a stock 2014 Indian Chief Vintage is $20,999, indicating the generosity of the winning bidder, who jumped an additional $4000 as bidding slowed to secure the motorcycle for his collection.

For 2014, the first model year for the new Indian Chief under Polaris Industries’ brand stewardship, the first 1901 units off the assembly line were specially badged with commemorative serial numbers in honor of the company’s founding in 1901. In partnership with Jack Daniel’s Distillery, the ‘No. 7’ serial number off the line, a red Indian Chief Vintage  model, was customized by Klocks Werks of Mitchell South Dakota with just the right touches to create a truly unique motorcycle.  Hand-laid pin striping, painted Jack Daniel’s and Operation Ride Home logos, and a customized seat combine to create a unique and collectible custom motorcycle.

Operation Ride Home is a partnership program between Jack Daniel’s Distillery and the Armed Services YMCA designed to help service members and military families travel to their homes across the country this holiday season. All proceeds from the auction of the custom Indian Chief Vintage bike have been donated by Indian Motorcycle to the Operation Ride Home program. The program assisted 836 individuals for the 2013 holiday season.

“For nearly 113 years the U.S. military has been an integral part of the legendary Indian Motorcycle brand, and many of this company’s proudest achievements revolved around our support of this country’s war efforts,” said Steve Menneto, vice president of motorcycles for Polaris. “It was a pleasure to partner with Jack Daniel’s and the Armed Forces YMCA in support of Operation Ride Home, and all of us at Polaris Industries and Indian Motorcycle are honored to donate the proceeds from the auction of this unique and symbolic motorcycle for the benefit of America’s military personnel and their families.”

More information on Indian Motorcycles can be found on their website. If you'd like to make a donation to the Operation Ride Home Program, log on to jdoperationridehome.com.