George Barber dead at 85

[Motormike]

Just saw online that George Barber of Barber Motorsports and the Barber Museum has passed at age 85.  Motorcycle enthusiasts around the world own the man a tribute for the time, money and efforts he has put into our sport, or (if you prefer) pastime.  RIP.

[nc43bsa]

I hope his museum doesn't go away like Larry Miller's did in Utah.

[n3303j]

I hope his museum doesn't go away like Larry Miller's did in Utah.

Went there last April ('25). Can't imagine a place of that size disappearing. Especially with the attached track. Looks like a profitable enterprise.

[nc43bsa]

I was there in 2009;  I had read in the last few years that the cars and such had been dispersed and the track had been sold.  Perhaps I was misinformed.

[Motormike]

I was there in 2009;  I had read in the last few years that the cars and such had been dispersed and the track had been sold.  Perhaps I was misinformed.

Cars?  The only cars I ever knew about were a bunch of Porsches used in the Porsche Track Experience.  The track still offers it.  The museum is structured as a 501 non-profit, so I'd say you are most certainly misinformed.

[nc43bsa]

Are we referring to the same museum?  The one I saw was almost exclusively Fords (GT40s, Cobras, a Nurburgring Fairlane, etc.)  I took lots of pictures, but it was before I had a smart phone, so they are somewhere on an old laptop.

[PeteS]

Barber had cars on the lowest floor, among them a few of the Ferraris that John Surtees raced as well as his MVs. Mostly race cars, not production cars.

Pete

[LowRyter]

I hope his museum doesn't go away like Larry Miller's did in Utah.

I understood that the place was owned and run by a foundation originally funded by him in perpetuity. 

[tommy2cyl]

What an amazing individual and facility/collection that he built. I have been to the race track for Indy cars and Vintage Motorcycle Days. I was fortunate to be there for an event in 2006 when Mr. Barber was honoring John Surtees. I was frantically looking for something memorable for Mr. Surtees to sign and I found a copy of MV Augusta Fours The Complete Story by Mick Walker in the gift shop.   I was successful and got his autograph.  Kismet.  It is the only autograph I have and is a great memory of one of my trips to Barber Motorsports Park.  RIP George.   
 

[MerleLowe]

Barber had cars on the lowest floor, among them a few of the Ferraris that John Surtees raced as well as his MVs. Mostly race cars, not production cars.

Pete

I was there when they were taking some of that around the track.










virtual chance tools

[PeteS]

I was there when they were taking some of that around the track.










virtual chance tools

Any chance that was John Surtees in the black helmet?
I met him one year at Mid Ohio watching the races on the deck over the pits.

Pete

[tommy2cyl]

Strong possibility it is indeed.  I think I remember seeing him ride at Mid Ohio and he was in all black, if memory serves.  If you zoom in on the
photo, it sure does look like him.

[tommy2cyl]

I am referring to his black helmet and black riding gear on the motorcycle.  That is not him in the black helmet in the car.
I did "The Google" and it does say he typically wore black leather riding gear.

[JJ]

I remember years ago, Nolan W. and I met him while visiting the museum.  I remember he asked us what we thought of the museum and chatted with us briefly.  He was a real gentleman.  The Barber museum is easily one the the "Two-Wheel Wonders of the World."  A must visit for all motorcyclists.  R.I.P. George and Godspeed.

[Motormike]

If you've never made it to Barber in October for the Vintage festival, you are missing one of the best motorcycle events in the country. 

[MerleLowe]

I am referring to his black helmet and black riding gear on the motorcycle.  That is not him in the black helmet in the car.
I did "The Google" and it does say he typically wore black leather riding gear.

Checked the date - was the 2017 Barber Vintage Festival.  A few months after he passed.

[tommy2cyl]

 

Checked the date - was the 2017 Barber Vintage Festival.  A few months after he passed.

 :thumb:That answers that.  Thanks.

[Bigtime]

  A group of us rode down to the MotoAmerica races a few years ago. We camped at the track and had the good fortune to meet Mr. Barber. Just an outstanding individual. When he heard we were camping at the track, he asked if there were anything he could do to make our stay better. Wow!  RIP Mr. Barber

[PeteS]

We stopped at the original museum at the Dairy in town in the pre digital age. No idea what happened to those prints.

Pete

[n3303j]

Short Accolade:
https://youtube.com/shorts/kYYFDng7LKs?si=VIjIfBGVkHPhcKjr