Barber Vintage Motorsports Museum - Birmingham, Alabama.
George Barber raced Porsches in the 1960's with 63 first place trophies. When his father died in the '70's he had to focus on running his family's milk business. He started collecting and restoring classic sports cars 20 years ago before turning his interest to motorcycles and opening a museum in 1995 on Birmingham, Alabama's Southside. Nearly six years ago, Mr. Barber moved the museum to a 740-acre spread with a beautifully designed building to brilliantly display 750 motorcycles at any one time from a total collection of 1,300. There's also as a substantial collection of Lotus and other race cars in the structure that sits along side a 2.38 mile racetrack that's on par or better than almost any F1 or Indy layout in the world. A large glass elevator in the middle of the building takes the cars and bikes to any of the 5 levels, including the restoration shop on the ground floor.
There are bikes from 16 countries that represent 143 different marques. The oldest I could find is this 250cc 1902 Steffey made-USA moped.
I was told by the museum staff that the most rare motorcycle on display is this Britten from New Zealand. John Britten who died in 1995 hand made only 13 of these motorcycles.
When I told a buddy of mine, a retired building design executive and motorcycle lover, that I was going to Birmingham, Alabama, he emphatically said "don't miss the Barber motorcycle museum". I can see why. Well done, George!
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