I don't know how many of you have heard of Barbers Motorsports but it's here in the great state of Alabama (see link at bottom). It is a world class facility and the museum is second to none. We recently took a trip there and are planning to go back this summer during sanctioned superbike races. Which brings me to the idea.

A museum of Jeeps. Not just any museum either. A world class, all indoor museum with Jeeps going all the way back to the earliest military models right up to the current day Rubicons, Unlimiteds and heck even some prototypes like the Renegade and what not.

Not just a museum though. A museum nestled on a beautiful tract of land that features an off road course for Jeep enthusiasts. Camp grounds for those that would like to stay overnight and perhaps even some sanctioned jeep racing courses. Not free mind you, there would of course be a fee to walk through the museum. At Barbers it's $10.00 which is a bargain given the truly world class nature of that museum. A fee to camp and of course a fee to participate in off road events. But all of it low and reasonable. It does take money to keep that stuff up to snuff you know.

So, the question is, how many of you guys would visit such a facility? I think obviously we have to allow more than just jeep owners on the course but we could have "Jeep Vehicles Only" days as well. Additionally, the museum would feature predominately Jeeps but I could see having a few hummers there as well. So, what say you fellow Jeep guys?

http://www.barbermotorsports.com/

 

It's get'in hard just think'in about it!

 

Hundreds of millions. I would anticipate the cost of the museum structure alone would be in the 60 to 80 million price range. Then as you said, the cost of all those jeeps, and to refurbish them to show quality. Then you would have to hire a staff, make sure the off road course is well manicured, camp grounds are safe, 24 hour a day showers and bathrooms, a restaurant for visitors and campers to eat, vending machines around the park, maintenance. It all adds up you know. But I think it would attract alot of not only Jeep owners, but also just off road vehicle enthusiasts. Keep that feedback coming boys, the more the better. Throw in your own ideas by all means.

 

I dont know where it is but where ever they did the camp jeep thing? and for the money...? I think chrysler has enough to spare.

 

Camp Jeep is typically held in Virginia, and it's a once a year event. This would be a year round facility. I would think that it's ideal location would be somewhere in Texas and not far from a large metro area like Dallas, or Austin, thus allowing visitors who drive a long distance the ability to get a hotel room without any trouble. Being in Texas also allows more months of warm weather, a preferable thing for those who want to camp or hit the off road course. Texas is also centrally located to the US, most drivers can get there in 1 to 3 days of driving. But that's just me. I wouldn't mind seeing it located in Tennessee or southern Georgia either.

 

Sounds like it is time to file for Non-Profit status and Tax exemption. Look for grants, donations, old people that want to leave their inheritence to the jeeps that saved their lives in the war, plan fundraising events, and get someone to donate land, building materials, vehicles and the like.

As the Man of LaMancha would say "Dream the impossible Dream." So go fight those windmills and I will come visit.

 

That's some big ass windmills bro. lol But hey, people said Walt Disney was nuts didn't they?

 

Hmmm....give me a chance to vist Ft. Rucker...it's been 40 years...best time of my life was when I was a WOC...I'm in!

 

"Mister" Dustoff'68 then. lol If you're referring to the Barbers Motorsports Park then yes I highly reccomend it to anyone, even if you're not a motorcylce enthusiast. It's just a really great museum for anyone that likes automotive anything. The pictures on their website do not do it justice. They have bikes there that are truly worth hundreds of thousands of dollars and there are no ropes, no bars, you just walk right up to them. All they ask is that you don't touch them or sit on them. That and of course there is a staff of rather serious looking security guys walking around. lol Additionally there is a small collection of Indy Cars there. I mean real Indy Cars and once again, you can just walk right up to them. I have some great shots of the cockpits from right over the cowl. Great stuff. If you go during the week you can see the guys on the lowest floor who work on restoring the bikes or making prototype stuff. There's also a nice area set aside for eating with a little restaurant. It's well worth the trip chief.