Cycle News

CN III ARCHIVES BY LARRY LAWRENCE E arly 2000s. I was in the area doing advance media work for the Southwick AMA Motocross National in Hartford, Connecticut, and later Springfield, Massachu- setts. After we'd done our stops at the TV and radio stations in Springfield, the rider I was work- ing with, John Dowd, headed off to the track. I, meanwhile, made a beeline to the Indian Motocycle (yes, without an R) Museum, which was located on site of the old Indian Motorcycle factory. I walked into the small out building, one of the few remaining structures of the old Indian factory complex, and my eyes opened wide. Surrounding me were doz- ens of historic Indian motorcycles dating back to the first decade of its existence, as well as all kinds of other factory and Indian memo- rabilia. Old black and white photos of workers assembling Indians hung on the walls. I was in awe. Just as I was getting my bear- ings after the assault of almost too much to take in all at once, I heard the voice of an elderly lady. To be completely honest, it was a bit of an unexpected encounter, it could even be called slightly jarring. Instead of a welcoming tone and greeting, the old lady started hitting me with rapid-fire P130 equally well-known and admired for keeping the history of Indian alive during a time when a lot mo- torcycle people didn't really think that was all that important. When the museum was founded in 1974, it was well before the vintage mo- torcycle revival of the 1980s. Old bikes were considered just that. The percent of motorcycling folks who understood just how invalu- able and historic the museum's collection was, was miniscule. The couple of hours I spent in the museum that summer day I had the place all to myself. In retrospect, Esta was simply being vigilant and making sure I had good intentions on my visit that day. After awhile, some degree of truce was established and she opened up with great stories about Indian. Unfortunately, not knowing the importance of the lady I was talking with at the time, I didn't have a recorder running. Esta's husband, Charlie, questions—"Who are you; Why are you here; What's your interest in seeing these pieces of history?" I guess that's one way to get to know someone—don't beat around the bush, get right to the point. Once I told her I worked for AMA Pro Racing, I think, if any- thing her glare at me became even more suspecting. From that point, I was subjected to all the grievances this lady ever held with the AMA and people who worked there. Keep in mind, this all hap- pened within the first few minutes I walked in the door! A sarcastic, "Nice to meet you too ma'am," was what I felt like saying, but I restrained myself. I didn't know it at the time, but the lady grilling me that day at the Indian Motocycle Museum was none other than Esta Manthos, co-founder (along with her hus- band Charlie) and president of the former Indian Motocycle Museum. Famously cantankerous, Esta was SEEING INDIAN'S HISTORY PHOTOGRAPHY BY LARRY LAWRENCE The Esta Manthos Indian Motocycle Collection in Springfield, Massachusetts, has the largest collection of Indian cycles and memorabilia in the world.

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