Barber Motorsports Museum....a must see!

[JustPlainDave]

I hope everyone had a great and safe Thanksgiving.

Bad weather forced my Dad, my Son and I to change our yearly Thanksgiving camping trip. So, we loaded up the car and drove from sunny, hot and flat Sarasota to just east of Birmingham to Leeds, Alabama. The location of the Barber Motorsports Track and Museum.

After an awfully long drive, we were met with a very nice new Hamton Inn right outside the track gate. Which is also across the street from a huge BassPro Shop. This is where you go to bask in all things camo and, I mean ALL things.
I had no idea they made so many products in camo. My Son wanted a camo wallet but, I convinced him he'd never find it.

The weather was overcast, cold and rainy but that didn't dampen our mood to see this absolutely amazing museum. My Dad, who is not into bikes, thought it was also.

The Barber is a not for profit dedicated to accumulating and preserving the history of the motorcycle. They also have one of the worlds (if not the) largest collection of Lotus cars and racecars. There is a restoration shop on site (which we couldn't get down to this day) to keep the bikes in top order. They say most of these bikes are only an hour from being able to be on the track.

There is around 1200 bikes in the collection with about half of them on display at any time. The bikes are rotated often so, I guess I'll have to go back

It's only $15 to enter and it's good all day so, you can leave for lunch and come back.

Here are only some pics my son and I took just to give you a sense of the place and what you can see there.
Enjoy!





























































If you come to the Barber remember......

[RedRam]

WOW! You're right-a must see. Will definitely be added to my bucket list. Thanks for the great photos

[DirtyOldMan]

Wow! Looks like sensory overload to me. It would be hard to take it all in.
You're pretty good with that camera, thanks.

[viajero]

I visited there a few years ago, but only for a couple of hours. Not nearly enough time to fully appreciate all the goodies. Yes, it is sensory overload, but in a good way. Need to go back again, as I'm sure they've added since I was there.

Spent too much time watching the race bikes circulate on the track below.

Thank d0G for people like Mr. Barber.

[Speed King]

Man, thanks for those great pics. Thie place is on my short list.

[10/10ths]

....on planet earth that lives up to the hype.

[nachtflug]

holy cow best set of Barber pics yet. I've never seen those multi floor perspectives like that. fantastic shots!

[mr openroad]

nice pics thanks

[GB]

This one should be in the Pics, Pics, Pics, forum as it's moto related.

Awesome pics!! Thanks for posting.. and we'd love to see some more from Barber if you have any.

[conchscooter]

This place is outrageous:




.
I've been twice and thanks to a friend who lives in Birmingham,
20 minutes away.

With something like 800 bikes and only half on display
at one time there's always more to see.



The two stroke Harley 250 SS from Italy:










German Munch Mammut:

[conchscooter]

For a $15 entry fee:

[conchscooter]

[JustPlainDave]

Awesome pics!! Thanks for posting.. and we'd love to see some more from Barber if you have any. [/QUOTE]

If Gadge Boys asks he shall receive.......

A few thoughts...those F1 guys are a small bunch. The Excelsior was made by Ignaz Schwinn in Chicago. Notice the headlight shot, it's gas. So is the tail light.

[conchscooter]

The pictures are fabulous. I am going back in a couple of weeks and I can't wait. My wife has no trouble persuaidng me to visit her college friend in Birmingham.

[Reverend12]

I'm lucky to live about 20 miles from Barber. They change up the displays every few months and are always adding new machines, fabulous place.. Thanks George!!