V-twin cruiser motorcycles are inherently retro machines. When manufacturers launch “vintage” editions, however, the changes are usually minor. Think a footboard here or a spoked wheel there. Indian’s 2026 Chief Vintage fully commits to a 1940s Art Deco aesthetic. And hoo boy, does it look good!

2026 marks Indian’s 125th anniversary (founded 1901). Despite a recent change in ownership, the manufacturer has not missed a beat. Rather than recreating the Chief’s 1922 debut, Indian leaned into its most iconic era. That would be the fabulously Art Deco Chiefs of the 1940s.

Ola Stenegärd, Indian’s design director, explained, “The Indian Chief from the 1940s remains one of the most recognizable and celebrated motorcycles in American history.”

How Indian recreated a 1940s icon

The company went whole hog. Or, more accurately, whole Chief.

Indian 3D-scanned the original Chief’s sweeping fenders. Designers then carefully scaled them to fit modern tires mounted on 16-inch spoked wheels. The team had a similar process for the fuel tank, the seat, and other iconic components.

The motorcycle’s signature detail remains the Indian figurehead perched on the front fender. This time, it houses an LED light, so it illuminates. The real standout, though, may be the cylinder heads. They are round, purposeful, and perfectly retro.

The Chief Vintage builds on the existing Chief Bobber platform. It borrows much of that bike’s modern hardware. This includes enclosed front forks with 132 mm of travel and enclosed rear shocks offering 75 mm. The result should be dramatically more comfortable than even the plushest 1940s motorcycle.

Indian blacked out much of the chrome. I would personally swap the black exhaust for something shinier and more period-correct. The bike also comes with a single tractor-style seat and no saddlebags.

The look is flawless. The practicality, less so. Thankfully, Indian’s accessory catalog can outfit the Chief Vintage however an owner wants.

Overall, the Chief Vintage is a boldly faithful interpretation of an era when vehicles prioritized form as much as function. Machines were built to stir emotion and crafted with visible pride. I hope it sells well. Other manufacturers should take notes.