Frustrated, but wanting his motorcycles to remain in Southland, he sold both machines to his friend, Norman Hayes, of E. Hayes & Sons. Munro died of natural causes on 6 January 1978, aged 78 years. He is buried at Invercargill's Eastern Cemetery, with his parents and brother. Burt Munro was the subject of a 2005 film, "The World's Fastest Indian", based on a composite of his Bonneville speed runs. This film depicts a determined old man who, despite facing many difficulties, travels from New Zealand to the USA to test run his motorcycle west of the Great Salt Lake. The disclaimer says: "While this motion picture is based upon historical events, certain characters names have been changed, some main characters are composites or invented and a number of incidents fictionalised." In March 2013 Indian Motorcycle announced that it was producing a custom-built streamliner named the "Spirit of Munro". The motorcycle was built to showcase the Thunder Stroke 111 engine to be used in one of the 2014 road models. The company said the "Spirit of Munro Scout" was a tribute to Munro's achievements with the Indian Scout and to all Indians of old.