Ace Motor Corporation

Ace Motor Corporation
Company type	Private
Industry	Motorcycle manufacturing
Founded	1919
Founder	William G. Henderson
Defunct	1924
Fate	Acquired by Indian Motocycle Company in 1927
Headquarters	Philadelphia, United States
Products	Four-cylinder motorcycles

Adapted from the English Wikipedia article Ace Motor Corporation, available under CC BY-SA 4.0Updated 27 November 2025

Ace Motor Corporation was a motorcycle manufacturer located in Philadelphia that operated continuously from 1919 until 1924, with sporadic activity extending to 1927. The company primarily produced a single model: a large, upscale four-cylinder motorcycle featuring slight variations.

Foundation

Established in 1919, Ace Motor Corporation was created by William G. Henderson following his departure from Excelsior Motor Manufacturing & Supply Co., where he had previously sold his Henderson Motorcycle enterprise. Supported by Max M. Sladkin of Haverford Cycle Co., Henderson initiated Ace to manufacture his own inline four-cylinder motorcycle design.

The Ace motorcycle debuted in 1920 and shared similarities with the Henderson model, including a longitudinal four-cylinder engine and chain drive; however, it was deliberately engineered to avoid violating Excelsior’s patents or trademarks.

Passing of William Henderson

William Henderson passed away on December 11, 1922, at the age of 39 after being struck by a vehicle during testing of the new Ace Sporting Solo in Philadelphia. After his death, Arthur O. Lemon, who had been a salesman for Henderson and head of engineering at Excelsior, left Excelsior in 1923 to assume the role of Chief Engineer at Ace.

Changes in Ownership

Ace Motor Corporation halted operations in 1924. Over the next two years, the rights to the Ace name, along with its production facilities, were transferred several times.

Indian Ace

In 1927, the Indian Motocycle Company acquired the Ace Motor assets. Production was relocated to Springfield, Massachusetts, and for one year the motorcycle was marketed under the name Indian Ace. Following modifications directed by Indian, the Ace brand was retired. Indian continued manufacturing four-cylinder motorcycles until 1942.

Ace Speed Trophy

In 1923, Red Wolverton established a speed record on a specially modified Ace XP-4. To encourage attempts to surpass this achievement, Ace Motor Corporation offered the Ace Speed Trophy along with a monetary reward; however, neither prize was ever claimed.

References