Museum Thread

[Professor Voodoo]

EDIT; 27 January 2012

When I originally started this thread it was all about the Barber Motorsports Museum, but since there are so many museum & gallery buffs on this forum I figured we should have a repository for all museum related material. Who knows...maybe somebody will visit the Uffizi and catch a photo of Rico shivering before a Botticelli painting...

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As promised; for the car & bike fans some pics from my current outing. This is the Barber Motorsports Museum in Birmingham Alabama, USA.

If you're a motorcycle fan, this place is epic. No camera lens could possibly show it all. I was in there for 6 hours today and didn't see it all.


1973 Hodaka Combat Wombat 125. Yes, that's its real name.


A Ducati ST4 with slightly more experience than Elio's. This one crossed the US, New York to San Francisco in 36 hours 57 minutes.


The place is very motorcycle oriented, but there's plenty of cool cars there as well. Here's a nice collection of Loti.


A Lotus F1 car raced by, and later owned by the man who lent my OC his name.


The ancestor of Allison's Caterham.


Always recycle your champagne corks...


John Surtees World Championship winning '64 Ferrari 158. Those are his fire-proof pyjama's in the background.


They even had something for the NASCAR fans. Bobby Allison's 1988 Daytona 500 winning Buick.


Yes...they had Harley's too...

[Alfisti]

1973 Hodaka Combat Wombat 125. Yes, that's its real name.

Best. Motorbike. Name. Ever. Period.

The place is very motorcycle oriented, but there's plenty of cool cars there as well. Here's a nice collection of Loti.

I was going to ask: was there some sort of Lotus event going on there? Because that is a lot of rare Loti. I love the race-cars, and the Six... but my heart belongs to that Elite parked up the back.

Man, I think we've still got an as-yet unbuilt model of that JPS car hidden away downstairs somewhere.

Haha, the spindly wing on the car closest to the camera in that Lotus shot reminds me. ABC2 have a show called "Late Night Legends" where they show a classic sporting event of some description or another... one of the ones they screened was of the 1968 Tasman Series (the off season F1 in those days) GP at Lakeside Raceway. Anyway, the wing on the car collapsed and it was just funny watching the car pull up on the main straight and the pit crew jumping over the wall with a hacksaw. Defs couldn't get away with that in modern motorsport.

[Kiskaloo]

Haha, the spindly wing on the car closest to the camera in that Lotus shot reminds me. ABC2 have a show called "Late Night Legends" where they show a classic sporting event of some description or another... one of the ones they screened was of the 1968 Tasman Series (the off season F1 in those days) GP at Lakeside Raceway. Anyway, the wing on the car collapsed and it was just funny watching the car pull up on the main straight and the pit crew jumping over the wall with a hacksaw. Defs couldn't get away with that in modern motorsport.

Actually, in Bahrain three weeks ago the Red Bull Renault guys took a hacksaw to some barge boards on their F1 car to make it go faster.

[Alfisti]

Haha, the spindly wing on the car closest to the camera in that Lotus shot reminds me. ABC2 have a show called "Late Night Legends" where they show a classic sporting event of some description or another... one of the ones they screened was of the 1968 Tasman Series (the off season F1 in those days) GP at Lakeside Raceway. Anyway, the wing on the car collapsed and it was just funny watching the car pull up on the main straight and the pit crew jumping over the wall with a hacksaw. Defs couldn't get away with that in modern motorsport.

Actually, in Bahrain three weeks ago the Red Bull Renault guys took a hacksaw to some barge boards on their F1 car to make it go faster.

But mid-race? In the middle of the main straight?

Still, I'm glad to see the greasemonkey spirit hasn't been totally lost to computers.

[Professor Voodoo]

I was going to ask: was there some sort of Lotus event going on there? Because that is a lot of rare Loti. I love the race-cars, and the Six... but my heart belongs to that Elite parked up the back.

The Museum's owner, George Barber, just really likes Lotus. I'm going back today...I'll get you some shots of that Elite.

Haha, the spindly wing on the car closest to the camera in that Lotus shot reminds me.

That's a Formula 5000 car. It was a short lived formula that used 5 litre pushrod engines. As far as the spindly looking wing goes, I think it's mounted directly to the wheel hubs (to provide downforce to the tires but not load the suspension). After a few strut failures like the one you describe the the rules were altered to specify that all wings must be chassis mounted.

Actually, in Bahrain three weeks ago the Red Bull Renault guys took a hacksaw to some barge boards on their F1 car to make it go faster.

I missed that race (Australia too)...I was out on the ship. All anyone talked about was how processional (i.e. boring) it was; what did you think?

[Kiskaloo]

Actually, in Bahrain three weeks ago the Red Bull Renault guys took a hacksaw to some barge boards on their F1 car to make it go faster.

I missed that race (Australia too)...I was out on the ship. All anyone talked about was how processional (i.e. boring) it was; what did you think?

Bahrain was pretty dull. I was able to make Australia and Malaysia in person. Australia was much better, thanks in part to the rain that arrived during the race. And the torrential downpour during qualifying in Malaysia totally scattered the starting grid so the dry race meant you had the Ferraris and McLarens charging up from the back through a field of mid-packers so there was shedloads of passing.

[Alfisti]

I was going to ask: was there some sort of Lotus event going on there? Because that is a lot of rare Loti. I love the race-cars, and the Six... but my heart belongs to that Elite parked up the back.

The Museum's owner, George Barber, just really likes Lotus. I'm going back today...I'll get you some shots of that Elite.

That'd be great. At Lotus 2005 we had I think about 13 Elites present, but bright spark here didn't get many photos

[Professor Voodoo]

That'd be great. At Lotus 2005 we had I think about 13 Elites present, but bright spark here didn't get many photos

Okay...here's that Elite. I took a few more (different angles +interiors)...I'll PM them to you in full-sized format.


Here's what I was getting at in the previous post. Note how this 1970 Lotus F5000 car has its wing struts mounted directly to the wheel hub.


Just one year later that was illegal. This F2 car from 1971 had the wing mounted to its frame.


Kara begged Michele for a Maserati, so he finally bought her one...

It's a 1958 Ciclocarro, built by the Maserati Sparkplug & Accumulator company in Modena. The factory was owned by the same group as the more famous car builder, but they were run separately.


Wall of Italian bikes; Gilera's, Ducati's, Parilla's, & MV Agusta's, among others.


With more "older" cyborgs joining the SWA there was a great outcry for transportation.

These '65 Valmobiles (French design, built in Japan) were probably not what they had in mind.

Fernando's 928 makes it into the collection as well...


There are those who say a motorcycle never looks better than when it's crusted in road grit & dead bugs. Sadly, the same can't be said of its rider.

[Alfisti]

That'd be great. At Lotus 2005 we had I think about 13 Elites present, but bright spark here didn't get many photos

Okay...here's that Elite. I took a few more (different angles +interiors)...I'll PM them to you in full-sized format.

Cheers mate, that'd be awesome.

Here's what I was getting at in the previous post. Note how this 1970 Lotus F5000 car has its wing struts mounted directly to the wheel hub.


Just one year later that was illegal. This F2 car from 1971 had the wing mounted to its frame.

I think the ruling was later updated to include ground-effect gear as well... which is what lead to Lotus making a "dual chassis" racer. The ruling, from memory, stated that aero-dynamic aides had to be supspended. So Lotus created... was it the type 88? with the body suspended like normal and the ground-effect gear on a seperate chassis, suspended by tiny-little 1/2" travel shock absorbers from the wheel hubs I think they got banned for that one... again.

There are those who say a motorcycle never looks better than when it's crusted in road grit & dead bugs. Sadly, the same can't be said of its rider.

Christ you look like a younger version of one of our motor-cycle riding friends... the same bloke who's been "restoring" a Morgan Aero for the last 18 years.

[Professor Voodoo]

I think the ruling was later updated to include ground-effect gear as well... which is what lead to Lotus making a "dual chassis" racer. The ruling, from memory, stated that aero-dynamic aides had to be supspended. So Lotus created... was it the type 88? with the body suspended like normal and the ground-effect gear on a seperate chassis, suspended by tiny-little 1/2" travel shock absorbers from the wheel hubs I think they got banned for that one... again.

Yes, I think that was the 88. It was also the first F1 car constructed from carbon fibre, but it was never allowed to race. That was 1981.

[MP5]

The ancestor of Allison's Caterham.

Allison and her Caterham are stopped outside the museum, looking at the Lotus Mark VI from the window.

Allison: What a long way we've come, eh, Catherine? Check it out-- The roots of your family tree!

Catherine: *idling* ...

Allison: You kids are all the same... no respect for your heritage.

[Robert Frazer]

I think they got banned for that one... again.

I'm probably betraying my unwashed car-illiterate nature here, and spreading some horrid lazy stereotype which makes motorsport enthusiasts call for their libel lawyers, but still...

...is it just me, or does F1 racing consist entirely of companies designing all manner of wonderful innovations which the race officials then ban? A wonder that it hasn't become a running race instead, but then there'd probably be a million regulations governing footwear and bib fabric...

[Alfisti]

I think its more a case of someone coming up with a fantastic innovation... and then all the other teams making a lot of noise untill it gets banned.

At which point someone else will either find another loophole or see how far they can bend the new rules...
...or if you happen to be Colin Chapman: tie them into a pretzel.

I dunno, I honestly think half the time they're just doing it to irk the governing bodies

[Kiskaloo]

Kara begged Michele for a Maserati, so he finally bought her one...

It's a 1958 Ciclocarro, built by the Maserati Sparkplug & Accumulator company in Modena. The factory was owned by the same group as the more famous car builder, but they were run separately.

Kara: "I ask for a Lamborghini, he buys me a tractor. Now I ask for a Maserati, I get a delivery bike. I'm afraid to ask for a Ducati, lest I get a vacuum tube radio."

I'm probably betraying my unwashed car-illiterate nature here, and spreading some horrid lazy stereotype which makes motorsport enthusiasts call for their libel lawyers, but still...

...is it just me, or does F1 racing consist entirely of companies designing all manner of wonderful innovations which the race officials then ban? A wonder that it hasn't become a running race instead, but then there'd probably be a million regulations governing footwear and bib fabric...

I think its more a case of someone coming up with a fantastic innovation... and then all the other teams making a lot of noise untill it gets banned.

At which point someone else will either find another loophole or see how far they can bend the new rules...
...or if you happen to be Colin Chapman: tie them into a pretzel.

I dunno, I honestly think half the time they're just doing it to irk the governing bodies

The FIA defines so much of the car that there is little for the engineers to play with, so where they can play, they really do. They also spend an inordinate amount of time looking for loopholes, like the double-diffusers on the Brawn, Williams and Toyota cars last year or McLaren's "stalling wing" this year. Now McLaren believes Red Bull Racing and Ferrari are injecting super-cooled gas into the suspension struts to "contract" the CFRP and lower the car height for qualifying. As the gas warms and releases into the atmosphere, the CFRP "springs back" and the car rises the 10mm necessary to provide the necessary clearance once the race fuel load is put aboard just before the start.

Of course, the FIA themselves are a major problem. They keep trying to "control costs" by throwing out the rulebook every year, forcing the teams to re-create everything. They also then require engines and transmissions to last multiple races, which means you bin every part that is not 99.9999999999999999999% perfect, which drives your materials costs through the roof.

[Awinnell]

playing with the rules,like these did



Brabham BT46B




Tyrell P34

[Alfisti]

Brabham BT46B

I remember reading an article by Gordon Murray somewhere complaining about the "unfair" claims leveled by other teams against that car.

[Professor Voodoo]

I think they got banned for that one... again.

I'm probably betraying my unwashed car-illiterate nature here, and spreading some horrid lazy stereotype which makes motorsport enthusiasts call for their libel lawyers, but still...

...is it just me, or does F1 racing consist entirely of companies designing all manner of wonderful innovations which the race officials then ban? A wonder that it hasn't become a running race instead, but then there'd probably be a million regulations governing footwear and bib fabric...

All racing is a battle between the rulemakers and the engineers, and it's actually one of the reasons we fans tune in. Unlike other sports, the rules change every season (that would be an interesting trivia question; when was the last time the World Championship rule book remained unchanged for a full 2 years?).

The organizers have 3 big reasons for trying to limit speed:
-Keeping costs under control; in F1 the top teams are spending around $400 million US a year.
-Leveling the playing field to increase competition; F1 is not as bad as other sanctioning bodies in this respect, but they would still like to avoid one team running away with all the victories.
-Safety; happy to say there hasn't been a fatality in F1 for 16 years. Much of that is due to excellent design of both cars & tracks, but as the cars get faster the safety tech must keep up.

Of course, the designers & engineers work to claw back any speed lost through rule changes. The team that accomplishes this best wins.

[Kiskaloo]

I'm watching coverage of the Grand Am race there and they showed some shots of the museum.

As Vader would say: "Impressive. Most impressive."

[Professor Voodoo]

I'm watching coverage of the Grand Am race there and they showed some shots of the museum.

As Vader would say: "Impressive. Most impressive."

Yeah, I sat there thinking "I was there! I was there just 3 days ago!" I'm hoping to get back for the Vintage Festival in early October.

[Professor Voodoo]

US Space & Rocket Center; Huntsville, Alabama; 17 January 2012


No matter what vehicle you arrived in, you will immediately feel inadequate upon entering the parking lot.


Marisa: (hopping excitedly) Ooh...ooh! Can we take one home with us...please?

Elio: Well, they might have a scale model in the gift shop.

Marisa: No, you don't undertand...we need the real thing!


Kara: Spiders, in space? Aww come on...that's totally unfair!


Just like Kennedy Space Center in Florida, they have a Saturn V laid over on its side. I will never get over how enormous those things were.


Marisa: Stupid Americans...always doing things first. I betcha we Italians could put a cyborg on the moon if we really wanted to!

Allison: I dunno Mari. Would you really want to travel to the moon in a space-craft built by Alfa Romeo?


Finally, with an eye to the future, a mock up of NASA's next manned vehicle, the Orion.

[Triela]

I actually hate going to art museums like the MET. I find it all really boring. Maybe it's because I go to museums for school stuff only to answer questions or write an essay. -_- To make it more interesting however, I always but on the Gunslinger Girl soundtrack to listen to while I walk around. It makes it more peaceful and less annoying.

I LOVE going to The Museum of Natural History and I go straight to the dinosaur exhibit. I rarely go anywhere else.

[Alfisti]

Finally, with an eye to the future, a mock up of NASA's next manned vehicle, the Orion.

...I knew retro was in with cars, didn't realise they were bringing the 60's and 70's back with spaceships as well

[Kiskaloo]

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Just like Kennedy Space Center in Florida, they have a Saturn V laid over on its side. I will never get over how enormous those things were.

That's awesome they put it inside. When I was there in the early 2000s, it was outside on an earthen bank. And yes, it is amazing how enormous it is, especially the one that is assembled upright. I cricked my neck looking at that one.

[Professor Voodoo]

...I knew retro was in with cars, didn't realise they were bringing the 60's and 70's back with spaceships as well

Yes, Orion does have a very Apollo feel to it. The most important difference (besides exponentially more computer power) is reduced need for heavy lift rockets. If this craft is used for a return to the moon it will depart from the International Space Station.

Here's the Orion cockpit view.

That's awesome they put it inside. When I was there in the early 2000s, it was outside on an earthen bank. And yes, it is amazing how enormous it is, especially the one that is assembled upright. I cricked my neck looking at that one.

Particularly awesome since it was pouring rain outside when I took this.
Here's the big guy outside.

Britney: Oh my...I think I may need to excuse myself for a few minutes. (hurries off)

[Professor Voodoo]

I LOVE going to The Museum of Natural History and I go straight to the dinosaur exhibit.

Then this next one should meet with your approval.
Fernbank Museum of Natural History; Atlanta

On permanent display is a 121foot/37 meter Argentinasaurus, the largest mounted dinosaur skeleton in the world...harassed by a Giganotosaurs, one of the largest carnivores.

No photo angle can capture the size of the display but for reference sake, I'm 5'11...

While the two giants are their centerpiece, they have other stuff too...

The Hall of Shells is cool.

Divers found the skull of this 16ft tall Eremotherium ground sloth in a salt marsh just south of Officer_Charon's home city.

Speaking of diving, Charon didn't tell me there's a National Marine Sanctuary just 17 miles off Savannah. I will be back to dive it...

Rico: Oh...so that's what that thing in your dresser drawer is for, Britney. I didn't know you made your own pottery!

Britney: Eh...yeah...that's exactly what it's for.

Kara: You know, Stevie the Crocodile wouldn't have been a problem if she'd been small & cute like this guy.

Marisa: Nah...I'm not into small & cute. I want one of these guys now!

Rachel: We're gonna need a whole lot more hamsters.

[mushi4fr]

Okay. This is way embarrassing, but I am such a motorcycle fan, I literally drooled when I saw the Ducati. I don't mean I "drooled" over it, I mean that I literally just whipped drool off of my lips. I think there's something wrong with me; I'm more attracted to motorcycles than I am to men!

Please respect one thing: it would have been way too easy to insert a cheesy, perverted joke here. Be glad I restrained myself.

[Officer_Charon]

@Voodoo: Charon didn't tell you, because Charon didn't KNOW. *laughs* Who knows... give me enough advanced warning, and maybe I'll be able to get certified before you come down, and we'll hit it up together!

@Mushi: Why bother restraining yourself? Most of us don't! *laughs*

[Triela]

Voodoo... I can officially say I hate you. Those dinosaurs look beautiful. I want to see them in person SO BAD. ;_______;

[Professor Voodoo]

To publicize their new live spiders exhibit (opening July 28th) the American Museum of Natural History in New York has hung a 20ft inflatable spider from their Central Park West facade.


Michele: Kara, we're here; you can get out of the taxi now.

Kara: Nope...I'm fine right here.

Claes: Oh come on. You know it's not real, right?

Kara: Don't care...not getting out of the cab. (braces herself in the back seat)

Michele: Come on, help me pry her out.

Kara: No, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no...

[Officer_Charon]

John: Kara, if I give you enough C-4 and aerosolized gasoline to ensure the task's completion, will you get out of the cab?

[Kiskaloo]

Kara: "Burn it like the Giant Spider! Oh, and Packers win the Super Bowl!"

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