Few people know that film star and motorcycle legend Steve McQueen owned a Velocette. Here he was spotted at a California Antique Motorcycle Association (CAMA) event in Southern California in 1977 with this repainted ‘Indian’ Velo.

Floyd Clymer had purchased the Indian name in the 1960’s with the aim of reviving the marque which had died in 1954, and set about ‘badge engineering’ motorcycles and parts from various companies around the world.  Thus, our ‘Indian’ Velocette used either Venom or Thruxton power, and had the full gearbox/primary drive of the standard machine, which Clymer purchased from the factory; a much needed source of income in 1969, and they sold about 100 units for the project.  The chassis was pure Italian, with the frame designed by Leo Tartarini of Italjet, the wheels Grimeca, the forks Marzocchi, with Borrani flanged alloy rims.  Clymer died later that year, and production ceased; Indian Velos are very rare now, but most seem to have been well-preserved with low mileages, presumably as they were seen as collector’s items even when new.