Hemmings Garage Builds One-of-One Trail 70 Minibike for Giveaway
The one-of-a-kind machine for the “Hemmings Stay Gold Sweepstakes” features metal flake artwork by renowned custom artist Travis “Tuki” Hess…
Hemmings announced the launch of the “Hemmings Stay Gold Sweepstakes,” a giveaway that offers one winner the opportunity to own a custom-built Trail 70 minibike. Built from the ground up in the Hemmings Garage in Bennington, Vermont, the minibike, dubbed “Stay Gold,” is the product of shop manager Junior Nevison, technical editor Terry McGean, and the Hemmings Garage team.
The project began after the crew restored a family heirloom 1970 Honda CT-70. Inspired by the ability to source nearly every component new, the team set out to create something that honored the CT-70’s legacy while pushing its design in a new direction, company officials stated in a press release. The Hemmings crew designed and assembled the custom machine using all-new parts from Bart Moto Co. From concept to completion, “Stay Gold” showcases the dedication, craftsmanship and countless hours invested by the Hemmings Garage team, as told in a video on Hemmings’ YouTube Channel.
“Stay Gold represents everything we love about this hobby,” said Jonathan Shaw, president of Hemmings. “It’s creative, personal and deeply rooted in the memories that first sparked our passion for cars and motorcycles. Projects like this remind us that collector culture today should preserve the past and balance that with inspiring the next generation of enthusiasts to build, create and make memories of their own.”
To bring the vision to life, Hemmings partnered with Travis “Tuki” Hess of Kolor by Tuki Kustom Auto Paint. Widely respected throughout the drag racing and custom automotive communities, Hess is known for his intricate metal flake paintwork and period-inspired designs. For “Stay Gold,” he applied his signature artistry across the frame, fenders and headlamp nacelle, creating a finish that captures the bold spirit of 1970s custom culture while remaining original.
Build Specifications
Every component was selected to complement the custom paint scheme and create a machine that feels equally at home on display or on the road, the company said. Features include:
- 125cc engine with high-lift cam and manual four-speed gearbox
- Nibbi 24mm carburetor
- Wide-body frame with 5.5L fuel tank
- Adjustable inverted aluminum front forks
- One-piece aluminum 12-inch wheels
- Coker Classic whitewall tires
- Chrome drag-pipe exhaust
- Hydraulic front disc brake and rear drum brake
- Stretched aluminum swingarm
- Digital speedometer cluster
- Custom gold metal flake diamond-stitched seat hand-sewn by Nevison
Honda CT-70’s Collector Legacy
According to the National Motorcycle Museum, the Honda CT-70 occupies a unique place in motorcycling history. Introduced in 1969 and sold through the early 1980s, the compact minibike helped introduce a generation of riders to motorcycling and became one of Honda’s most successful models, with more than 380,000 units produced. Its approachable size, distinctive styling and enduring reliability made it a fixture in garages, campgrounds and backyards across America, and it remains one of the most beloved minibikes among collectors today, noted the release.
The custom “Stay Gold” CT-70 made its public debut on June 12, 2026, at the Paradise Road Show in Austin, Texas, and will appear at select events throughout the summer.
“Ask a hundred enthusiasts how they got started and many will point to a minibike, a project in the garage, or a machine that gave them their first taste of freedom,” said Dan Stoner, creative director at Hemmings. “‘Stay Gold’ taps into that feeling. It’s a reminder that some of the most meaningful vehicles aren’t the most expensive ones. They’re the ones that create lifelong memories.”
The “Stay Gold Sweepstakes” is now open and runs through Aug. 20, 2026. For complete rules and eligibility information, and to enter the sweepstakes, visit hmn.com/staygold.
