After WW2, bicycles made in America were heavyweight ‘balloon-tired’ machines that were not practical for long-distance commutes or touring. They were essentially recreational machines. But in Great Britain, saddled with repaying war debts to America, bicycles were just about the only form of transport available to the average person. Practicality was essential.
There was a limited market in the USA for British bicycles. As part of the debt repayment after WW2, America became an important export destination for British cars, to some extent motorcycles, but particularly bicycles. Indian Sales Corporation (Bicycle Division) in Springfield, MA pulled out all the stops to promote their new ‘British’ bicycle range. Their Christmas 1951 advert explains the advantages of a British bike:
An Indian 3-speed bike is the best Christmas present anyone could get. Beautifully made, 20 pounds lighter than balloon-tired bikes, and fitted with the Sturmey Archer 3-speed hub. No matter whether it’s uphill or down, the Indian pedals easier and goes faster with less effort. It’s the bike for you! Extra safe, too, with two-wheel brakes.
1951 Indian Scout Bicycle
22″ Frame
26″ Wheels
Sturmey-Archer 3 speed gear
(Now sold)
This Indian Scout was my daily rider in 2010. I sold it a year later. Recently (2020) I bought it back. The paint is faded, the chrome tarnished and the spokes loose in the rear wheel.
It’s not generally known that in 1948 one of the greatest American bicycle and motorcycle manufacturers attached its badges to a bicycle that was not only mundane …but also British.
The Indian Princess was the ladies model, and the Indian Scout was the Gents.
And the British bicycle manufacturer whose exported bicycles bathed in Indian’s reflected glory?
…Yes, it’s a Phillips!
Phillips were one of the top British bicycle exporters. Industry was nationalized during the war, and that Phillips made military bicycles. After WW2, in the national drive to repay war debts to the USA, the British bicycle industry had government assistance to help bring in the much-needed foreign exchange to rebuild our economy.
The Phillips bicycle in the 1947 ad above looks very similar to the Indian Scout. The ad below is from 1949.
