Yes, THAT Gary Nixon Number Plate!

There has been much talk about those heavy (26 lbs) metal number plates that were presented to Gary Nixon that year at the AMA awards. Yes, the tradition in AMA racing was for the reigning champion to carry the coveted number 1 plate on their motorcycle at the races the following year. However, for the 1967 season, something unexpected happened. Bart Markel, the #1 plate holder for 1966, presented a custom- made, heavy metal number plate to Gary Nixon - the 1967 Champion. While the interpretation of this act has been debated over the years, it was a genuine act of sportsmanship and a nod from the veteran king to the new prince of racing. 

We are lucky enough to have this plate in our collection here at Metro HQ. When we got it from Gary years back, he told us that "It showed up in the mail one day with a note from Markel saying 'Heavy is the head that wears the crown'". After a conversation with Bart Markel, he said that he made the plate in work and sent it with a note saying "There's only one way to go from the top and that's down." Whatever the comment, the gesture was sincere betweeen these two racers. 

Attached are photos showing the number plate here at Metro showing that it is 1/2 inch of solid boiler plate metal. Also the page from Nixon's book mentioning the plate along with the Cycle Sport magazine with photos of the presentation at that years aware.