1996 American Motorcycle Association Pikes Peak Belt Buckle PIK-558
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Brief Description
This rugged limited edition belt buckle is made of pewter and brass. It celebrates the motorcycle division that attacks Pikes Peak each year during the annual hill climb, as well as the first women to ride Pikes Peak and across the country solo.
Info
- Date: 1996 (man. 1995)
- Size: 3" x 4" x 1/2"
- Weight: 15.4 oz.
- Materials: Pewter, Brass
- ID: PIK-558
- Acquisition Date: March 2024
- Repository: Coloradotopia Archives
Photographed in a light box.
Image use restricted.
Historic Dating Comments
The backside has a date of 1995 written above the AMA logo. These were likely designed and manufactured in 1995, and then sold sometime in 1995 and/or 1996. The front has the dates 1916 and 1996 on opposite sides of the AMA logo, implying this was created to celebrate the 80th anniversary of the hill climb, so 1996 has been adopted as the official year for this belt buckle’s title. Other annual buckles have also been produced by the club in other years.
Comments & Discussion
The backside celebrates Adeline and Augusta Van Buren, who were the first women to ride across the US by motorcycle as solo riders, and the first women to ride to the top of Pikes Peak. Effie Hotchkiss had ridden across the country the year before as a sidebar passenger, but the sisters were the first women to do the ride solo on their own motorcycles.
Condition, Aging & Authenticity: There was a small amount of oxidation on the front side upon arrival. This was cleaned by hand using a pair of small brushes.
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