The Barber Vintage Motorsports Museum is Alabama’s best attraction, according to readers of USA Today.
The museum that anchors the 880-acre Barber Motorsports Park features one of the largest collections of motorcycles in the world and the largest collection of vintage Lotus racecars.
The newspaper released its “Best Alabama Attraction” list earlier this month. The list took nominations from Alabama-based travel writers and photographers and allowed the public to vote for a month.
“Our dream was to create the greatest collection of motorcycles in the world,” said Jeff Ray, executive director of the Barber Vintage Motorsports Museum. “Being named the best Alabama attraction was thrilling news to receive, and we appreciate our fans for showing such overwhelming enthusiasm for our mission here in Birmingham.”
The Barber Museum’s extensive collection of vintage Lotus shows how considerably these lightweight, fine-handling, powerful racecars evolved—from their rather humble beginnings to world-renowned achievement. Lotus Cars’ founder, Colin Chapman, built his first Lotus in a single-car garage in London in 1948, crafting a 1930s Austin Seven into what later became known as the Mark 1 Lotus. Ultimately, Chapman’s racing team, Team Lotus, won seven Formula One Constructors’ titles, six Drivers’ Championships, as well as the Indianapolis 500 between the years 1962-1978.
Anchored by the Lotus 21, the first Lotus acquired by Barber, the collection spans Lotus history. Exhibits include a replica of the first car built – the Mark 1, which is no longer in existence – to the last F1 Lotus built – the Type 109.
