Would anyone mind sharing info with me as to how "rare" the Hutch stadium plate is? I already know it's rare in the sense that I haven't seen a single one for sale in the 3 years I have been collecting. In fact, I don't recall seeing any at Rockford in '06 or '05 either.

I was hoping to gain a better understanding as to how many might be out there in the hands of the serious collectors. Curious to know possible valuation too, but not as important. Thanks, John

I cant even venture a guess as to how many are out there total. But in my 3 years or so in the hobby, I have only seen 5-6 different ones in collectors hands. From what I understand, they were given to factory riders, as I have never seen them in any Hutch ads, just on factory riders bikes. (feel free to correct me here guys).

As for price, I am sure it all depends on the day, and who is after it. There was one on ebay this summer, NOS that brought in $500.

As for who has them, I have seen them in 401Flightcranks, 3rdGear collections, and I have one as well.

Anyone else......?

Lets see some pics of these plates...

i know of one that sold for $900 nos in the bag

I have one. I bought it new in August 1983 along with my Pro Racer. I was age 13 and used it for the first 2 years that I raced. I bought it from Midwest National BMX out of the Bicycles and Dirt mag. According to my hand-written notes, I paid $15.65 for it, but that sounds kind of high so I will check my old issues of BaD tomorrow. I kept notes on everything I bought, how much I paid, every date/race/place I did. Wish I still had those chrome Hutch ZAP pads I paid $14.95 and only used for one year though lol.

The plastic of the plate is in excellent condition, but the sticker is well used. My question was because I am seriously thinking about restoring the plate by having a new high-quality repro front sticker made. It will look new again, but of course it will be a repro front sticker, not original. I'd also like to use the plate on a high-dollar LiL Holeshot build that I am hoping to bring to Rockford, so having a cherry bike with a beatup plate doesn't sound like a good thing to me.

Any thoughts?

...but if its your original race plate from back in the day, thats freakin cool.

I was going to redo all the stickers on my old race plate. Then I thought about it and I can't do it. Its a series one but it's still my old plate.
I wouldnt do it personally.

I agree with Alex, John. If it was your actual plate and it's got battle scars, I'd use it as is. Post a pic of it if you can.

You'll get more consideration at Rockford with the plate in original condition than with a reproduced decal on it. Just my 2 cents.

I know the bike you are building, and I understand what you are saying, but I think you'd be happier down the road knowing you left your original plate intact.

Tom

Yep, I agree with everyone else, leave it the way it is. Even if the lil holeshot is full nos, it would be cool to have your old plate hanging on the front.

I appreciate your opinions. I have a pic i'd like to post, if someone can tell me how.

I saved the things that mattered most: numberplates, trophies, clothing, and photos. In the four years I raced from 83-87, my numbers were 6016, 829, 125, and 37. The stadium plate still shows 829 but is well-used condition because it had also shown 6016 the year prior.

I still have my original copy of BaD, that shows check marks and hand-written color choices of the parts I ordered. The "Hutch Plate-white" as it was listed was $8.95.

Alfred at retrofitbmx just asked me if he could borrow my plate, along with sending me a color layout he made of the front sticker. The answer is no, bro. I will not help you make repro's of this plate.

Use THAT plate on your build. Definitely!

You are numer T9, right?

Seriously.

i agree on the plate issue. below is a picture of my nos pk personal replica. the bike is exactly what i had in 81.

the bike got stolen but i still have the original plate. i put that on my replica build and even though its all beat up with scars and signatures its still a bit of "reality" for me.

you can see on the floor i have an nos plate but i like the old one on the bike better



[ February 02, 2007, 02:11 PM: Message edited by: TONE ]

That first picture is me taken at Sheboygan, Wisconsin. This track was the scariest track in WI because it was a downhill just like SoCal tracks. The ambulance was always on call at every race, and I had not been to a race where it wasn't used for somebody once, or even for several people.

This is full-gas coming out of turn 1 over a monster double (see tailwagger in the back). I am fully concentrated trying to keep it on the ground, and also trying not to soil the inside of my leathers. After this double was a huge sweeping S-turn with singles and small doubles that you would fly through. What a great track.

The stadium plate is unchanged from what you see there.

First race + First Place= Big head. Indoors on concrete, December in Wisconsin. Track owners poured 2-liter bottles of Coca-Cola the full 180 around turn 1. It was like riding on glue. VERY fast considering the circumstances.

My parents were not wealthy. I traded up to get what I had with my friends, same as I try to do now. There's not much missing on that bike. I was a very lucky kid. Always wanted to be a factory rider, but the closest I got was adding "Hutch" and the stars on my leathers.

oops. Sorry that was so big.

You guys talked me into it. The plate remains unrestored. Thanks for helping me make the right decision.

Those are some great pictures. If you have anymore post them up! It is alway fun to check out race pictures from back in the day.

Just dug this out of a box.Is this what you guys are calling a "Stadium Plate"?
I found it one year at Gilley's Nationals.

Nice. Too bad someone carved the silver borders off. Still very presentable though.

I love the Hutch jersey, jeans, and black and white checkered Vans. Classic wear right there, an outfit for years.

This is currently on my basement wall. Not sure if it sez "HUTCH" under the decal though.

I'll bet the next beer it does. Nice plate. Were the ends cut for a mini at one time? VGC otherwise.

Hey Darren....a HIP fan from the states sure could use that plate!

Here is a picture of a Stadium plate on my Pro Racer.

I was lucky BITD. My parents were assistant TO so we ate and slept BMX. Until I found this site I didnt give one thought about my stuff. Luckily for me my folks kept everything. This plate however is a mystery.....I cannot find one supporting picture that we ever used it and I have hundreds of BMX pics.

I have about 15 other plates on my wall all with history and pictures to support use at one time. I knew it was special but never gave it another thought.

Tom, PM me with your telephone number. I have seen some of your builds and they are unreal. If you need it to make another quality build, its yours.

Stidds: sweet plate. Nicest I've seen.

Tom: I'll bet you couldn't write that e-mail fast enough. Were your fingers on fire?

Don't worry about the plate....the whole bike is as sweet as...any chance of some more pic's? (maybe in a separate thread)...

lol @ go-away....

DarrenOz and KIW:

I had a hunch about that plate, and that the tips were cut shorter to fit on a mini. All of the Brit Adude/LiL Holeshot pics that I have show the tips cut shorter on his bike to fit the Hutch aluminum mini bars with full-size grips.

Tom, that plate is perfect for you. In fact, I am now somewhat disappointed because that means that my plate will no longer fit on my LiL Holeshot build.

where was the indoor on concrete in wi.?
i raced rockford, mpls., and cedar rapids on concrete but never wi. elkhorn was dirt.
sheybogen, or fond du lac?

All good guess, but It was Manitowac. Similar to Elkhorn, it was inside one of the pavilion buildings at the park. Manty also had a summer outdoor track right next to the indoor building. To the best of my knowledge, the indoor was only ran for one winter, which was 1983/1984. I raced the first three races ever held indoors. The third race was so cold outside that the Coke didn't dry, and going around the first turn was worse than being on ice. I think they threw in the towel after that and only did outdoor races. I believe the outdoor races only lasted 1 or 2 seasons, probably 1984-1985. I felt bad for the organizers daughter, because there wasn't enough girls racing BITD, and she was lumped into our class.

The stadium plate was definitely the shizz for Hutch back then. Mucho better than Hot Plates.

I actually sold the one in this picture, which was pretty pristine (no stickers other than 1!) Probably shoulda kept it...
I have a couple more that are pretty well 'used' but I gotta keep for dumb sentimental reasons.

What a punky little attitude in this pic!

Dude, that's a great pic. I HATED having my photo taken back then, which is why I have so few. It's one of my greatest regrets.

John, I was thinking the same thing, what a 'tude!!

...awesome bike and pic!!

HA! John that IS a punky little look you've got goin' on. Did you ever get impatient with your Dad for wanting to take so many pics of you?

I remember your dad ALWAYS having a camera glued to his eye. I volunteer to come up and scan all his photos into the slide scanner anytime you want.

Oz took some great pics but your Pop was not far behind and ready to swoop him in the last turn .

For those of you guys that don't know, John's Dad Bud was the Photographer for the east coast magazine "Total BMX".

Sorry for the hijack, that pic of John just made me think of his Dad..

Scott - yeah, my dad burned up some film for sure! One of these days I am gonna put together a massive website of photos. All of you guys are in 'em. I wish OZ would do the same! Half the time they were fighting for real estate on the same berm.

go-away - I hear you dude! I hated muggin' for the camera. (obviously...)