US classic motorcycle enthusiasts are gearing up for one of the events of the year: the Barber Vintage Festival, held over 6-8 October 2023 at Barber Motorsports Parkway in Birmingham, Alabama.

The three-day festival is much more than classic motorcycles, although they are the heart of event now in its 18th year.

There’sa fanzone with food and entertainment, an autojumble – what Americans call a ‘swap meet’ – and the museum which is behind everything, with more than 900 classic motorcycles on display out of a total collection of more than 1600.

Barber Vintage Festival 2023

The venue and the event were started by George Barber, a former motor racing driver with an impressive record of 63 wins. He started collecting and restoring classic cars in 1988, then a few years later switched the emphasis to classic motorcycles.

The motorcycle collection started with three Honda vee-fours, then longtime friend Dave Hooper, gave Barber two of his own machines. One was a rare and perfect 1952 Victoria Bergmeister.

In 2014, the Guinness World Records recognised Barber as the world’s largest motorcycle collection. More than 368,000 visitors came to the museum and surrounding park last year.

This year’s Barber Vintage Festival has several areas including the ‘Isle of Triumph’ which will also have a bike with prizes from Vahna magazine, Triumph, Danner Boots and more. In the US and want to enter your Triumph? Click here.

Barber Vintage Festival 2023

Published by DeltaCharlie

Journalist working for more than 50 years across many types of media, including Motor Cycle News, Bike, Top Gear and for the past 20 years in aviation.