Geared Up

The Barber Motorsports Museum is amazing even if you don't know one thing about race cars or motorcycles. Each time I go, I find new and interesting details that catch my eye. Every single car or bike is in pristine condition, no matter the age. I love taking photography students there, especially those who have never been. Photographer's buffet!

Guarding The Goods

Today we're back at the incredible Barber Vintage Motorsports Museum.  It's protected by this very serious guard and his tiger. 

Have A Seat

Barber Motorsports Museum

Vintage Zoom!

Today we're back to the Barber Motorsports Museum. In addition to the motorcycles, on display, there is also a staggering collection of racecars. You can find the world's most extensive  collection of Lotus racecars right here!

Vintage at Barber Motor Sports Museum

Yesterday I started off our tour with a taste of the 700 motorcycles on display at the Barber Motor Sports Museum. Today a closer look at a vintage motorcycle. Don't quote me.... I think an Indian.

Built For Speed

If I shared all 350 images I took last Wednesday at the Barber Motorsports Museum, you still would not have the sense of how amazing this place really is. Today we'll start with the motorcycles.  George Barber houses 1350 motorcycles spanning 100 years at this state of the art,five story facility. At any given time, 700 are on display. The variety is staggering and for the most part, except for the really old bikes, the others are in mint condition and look as if they have never been ridden. To say it's sensory overload in an understatement. I told my photography students if they had never been, they needed to put their camera on their shoulder and take a few minutes to just take in the place before they decided what to focus on.

These racks flank the center elevator on four sides and soar from the ground level five stories up. Tomorrow, a closer look at the bikes and later this week, race cars!

Wheels!

Barber Motorsports Museum is a MUST SEE when visiting Birmingham. This world renowned facility showcases over 1200 vintage motorcycles and race cars. I am hoping to get there again for more photos. Stay tuned!

Vintage at Barber's

1952 Lotus Mk IV

The Barber Motorsports Museum is one of Birmingham's star attractions. It displays over 1200 vintage motorcycles and race cars!  It defies description. If you are visiting Birmingham it is a MUST SEE!

Zoom, Zoom, Zoom...

Recently a reader in the UK found me while searching the  Barber Motorsports Museum.  He asked if I had any photos of a vintage Lotus Mk4.  Although I'd featured some Lotus cars,  here, it was not the one he needed.  We chatted back and forth, and I promised him I'd take another trip out there and see what I could do.  This past Saturday, my friend Terry cheerfully chauffeured me, and I was able to find the exact model that was requested.  It was way too shiny and special not to share with all of you today.  As a note, our museum has the largest Lotus collection in the world!

Amazing!

That was the first word out of my mouth when I visited Barber Motorsports Museum.  I recently received an email from someone in the UK that wanted a photograph of a specific Lotus car there.  I went back through my photos to try and find it and discovered I'd never posted these two photos. This place is like trying to capture the Grand Canyon. It's so massive that photos don't do it justice.

Birmingham Rouge - Vintage Indian

It's been a while since I posted from the amazing Barber Motorsports Museum.  Here's two of a vintage Indian.  That's all I can share. Perhaps some of my more knowledgable readers can comment on the year/model or whatever. It's shiny and red and I liked it!

Like a Fish Out of Water

Deer season is a biggie in Alabama*

When the first boy is born into a family of women, well it's a learning curve. Last year I followed Davis and his pals to the fabulous Barber Motorsports Museum. A first for me. Well this year, we were off to unchartered territory once again. I followed five hyped- to- the- max six year olds to of all places........the Bass Pro Shop in Leeds. Good heavens I wasn't prepared for all that. How can I explain it? A grand cathedral housing everything ever invented pertaining to hunting, fishing, ( and cooking it too), camping, and boating , plus all the toys that go with all of that? Oh and throw in every imaginable piece of clothing/accessories that might pertain to the aforementioned activities.  In addition,  a corps of taxidermists must have spent their entire careers stuffing every species of wildlife found in Alabama to be displayed in their semi -natural habitats! Melissa and I wandered around with our mouths wide open. Good thing Davis's Poppa was along to lead the gang through the place. She and I were pretty useless. A good day was had by all. Davis got his first fishing pole and all the kiddos got a cap. Life is good at the Bass Pro Shop.

I have more photos . Just wait.

* Before anyone gets all distressed about deer hunting, even I know that the deer population is out of control here as it is in many parts of the country. The deer season doesn't begin to control it. End of discussion.

Legends

Thursday afternoon 75 Historic Legends of Motorsports Road Race cars came roaring into Mountain Brook Village. It was a terrific afternoon. Area merchants offered food, drinks and had some very nice giveaways. A DJ kept the place hopping and everyone strolled the village, chatted with friends and neighbors and waited for the big moment when the cars arrived . They parked right there so we could have an up close look! They are in town for races at the fabulous Barber Motorsports Park this weekend. Area readers need to get out there and see it! I am not a car buff but I was impressed. Today a sampling. Of course there are more for another day or two!

Meandering in Lotus Land

Oh I see some of you shaking your heads. OK, this isn't THE "Meandering in Lotus Land", this is the Birmingham version. We're back to the Barber Motorsports Museum where they have more Lotus competition cars than anywhere else in the United States. I loved the shiny silvery vintage ones the best, but the boys loved the awesome red one!

Hot Wheels .....and a lot of 'em!

Saturday I visited the Barber Motorsports Museum for the very first time. The occasion was my grandson Davis' fifth birthday party. Interestingly enough, Davis' dad, both grandfathers and his great grandfather were huge motorcycle lovers so I guess he might come by all of this naturally. As the "family photographer" I was anxious to tag along as I've heard about this place for years but somehow had never made a visit. In the words of the six, 5 year olds, "AWESOME". I agree!

This is a world class facility and their webesite states: "We are dedicated to the presentation, exhibition and interpretation of the history of motorcycles, vintage vehicles, and motor sports."At any given time there are over 500 of the 1200 vintage and modern motorcycles on display, as well as race cars and the largest collection of Lotus cars in the world. While I admit that I'm not a motorcycle enthusiast, I tried to photograph this fabulous place as best I could. Capturing it was a little like trying to photograph the Grand Canyon! I will say this, I've never seen that many smiling (and drooling ) men in one place in my life!!!

Due to inclimate weather, we were unable to take advantage of the Vinatage Festival that was going on in the park ( 740 acres). The race track accomodates not only motorcyle but car racing as well. Our family will definitely make another visit to take advantage of that. Yet another reason to visit Birmingham!

PS Many more photos to follow in days to come.