GULLLP!! Barber Museum First Trip

[spotcheck]

My neighbor and good friend is a motorcycle freak - good thing, because he works for one of the leading manufacturers of rice-burners. He even sold a restored 'Cuda so he could fit more scooters in his garage. He is on very good terms with the motorcycle side of Barber. Asks: "Wanna go to Birmingham to see Barber's cycle collection?" Me: "Umm - mind if I look at the Lotus collection while we're there?" Him: "Oh - right - they got some of them too!!" Yesterday, off we go.

 

Everyone there is very gracious. Escorted to the lower-level inner sanctum. I asked if Mr Viviani was around, and John came over, introduced himself, and spent the better part of an hour walking me through his current restoration projects, the collection on the lower level, and explaining history, mechanical evolution, etc. things to me.

 

I feel confident that I am in competition for the "least knowledgeable USA7's member" and I have no doubt that John figured that out in, like 4 seconds, but he spent the time to explain things to me that were simply amazing.

 

Then, I got back with my friend, and spent a couple hours with the cycle restoration people. In the workshop. In the "warehouse". Detailed discussion of their restoration that recently took Grand Champion at Pebble Beach. (As I said - GULLLP).

 

What a great place. What a great group of people. And how very kind of John Viviani to spend his valuable time with me. I soaked up as much as I could, and what didn't stick was my fault, not John's.

 

I have been in the top art museums in 4 continents. Irrespective of the motorsports aspect of Barber, it ranks right up there with the best art museums on the planet.

[MHKflyer52]

Lucky Guy.....I have to take time and go see it for myself.....

[Mondo]

My friend stopped by there on vacation and wants to get me to go back there with him again as he didn't have time to really see everything. He said it's worth making the trip just for the museum

[DeanG]

The people at The Barber Vintage Motorsports Museum are a great bunch. The museum is a giant step above what passes for the average car or motorcycle museum. Every mortorcycle or Lotus enthuasisats should visit.

 

They were excellent hosts at LOG 29.

[solder_guy]

I had a great time visiting the museum .. I think I spent about 5 hours there ..off and on all weekend during the USA7s gathering ..

[Ian7]

don't try to visit "just in passing"...

plan to be there before opening, and you'll still be looking when they throw you out at closing :-)

[Taber10]

For those of us that were involved, we will never be able to say "THANK YOU" to John often enough, so I'm taking this opportunity. Not only is the museum "top notch" whether your interests are restoration, autos in general, Lotus or the two wheeled machines, it has something for everyone. But during their busiest weekend of the year, no doubt, John was able to arrange special introductions and tours for us. Absolutely amazing--the museum, the hospitality and the weekend!