VOL. 55 ISSUE 10 MARCH 13, 2018 P39
ucts were unimaginable with ex-
amples of every model of Penton
motorcycle produced from 1968
through 1978 when the brand
was changed to KTM in the U.S.
There were even serial numbers
#1, #2 and #3 on display. Bike
#2 was originally purchased by
Hall of Fame announcer Larry
Maiers, who was in attendance.
"I wish I had kept that bike
all those years ago, but who
knew?" he said. "I just wanted to
upgrade to the next model."
Penton "Berkshires," "Six
Days," "Jack Piners," "Hare
Scramblers," and "Mint," were all
there. Even a couple of infamous
"Wassel" trials bikes.
And the memorabilia…Wow!
Displays of Penton riding gear,
catalogs, posters, ads, newslet-
ters, ISDT books, patches, stick-
ers and more were on display.
Even John Penton's original
gearbag was dug out of his ga-
rage and emptied out displaying
some crusty Hi-Point boots, a
barber jacket and his legendary
red bandana. Bob Gilman from
Maryland brought his well-curat-
ed collection of Penton posters,
jerseys, brochures, ads, books
and more. "I have ridden Pen-
tons since the end of the '60s
and I collect all of it," explained
Gillman. "It's important for the
new people to know the history
of things like this."
The man of the day of course
was John Penton himself who
was amazed at the estimated
500 in attendance. "I can't
believe that all these people
showed up for this," he said.
"He was on a microphone later
expressing to the crowd that the
one word that expresses every-
thing of this day was "love."
Besides Penton Motorcycles,
there was a display of bikes that
John Penton, himself, raced
throughout his career such as a
1947 Harley-Davidson, 1950 BSA
B33, NSU 175cc Maxi and BMW
R27. The NSU and BMW were
Penton's actual race bikes that
Pentons of all models and years were in attendance.
