Triple Crown Special Bike and Winged Wheel

2016.114.1 Ivan Mauger Collection and 2016.114.4 Ivan Mauger Collection

In 1970, Ivan Mauger did what no-one had done before – he won his third consecutive Individual World Speedway Championship. In recognition of his extraordinary achievement, two American speedway fans offered to gold plate the bike he used to win the World Championship. The bike was taken to California and was gold plated inside and out - it took 18 months and cost US$500,000.

All but the fly-wheels, connecting rod, piston, valves, rocker arms and bearings are gold-plated. All in all, Mauger won the Individual World Speedway Championship six times. This solid silver trophy, known as the Winged Wheel, was the prize. He was permanently gifted the trophy in 1977 after his fifth win.