Barber Vintage Weekend is always special but 2008 Cook Neilson was the guest of honor and that made it even better. Add to that the surprise debut of "Deja Blue", a replica of Old Blue commissioned by Barbers Museum from Rich Lambrechts to surprise Cook and Phil Schilling and the weekend made magic. See it all right here. Story and photos by Vicki Smith For more on Rich Lambrechts go to http://www.desmopro.com
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Barber Motorsports Museum. Owned by George Barber, he might be better called Saint George, patron saint of motorcyclists. This is his cathedral
Barber Motorsports Museum. Owned by George Barber, he might be better called Saint George, patron saint of motorcyclists. This is his cathedral
That's Cook Neilson (pronounced "Nelson"). Cook and his life long best friend, Phil Schilling did something in 1977 that captured the imagination of motorcyclists all around the USA. They built and raced "Old Blue", born when Cook’s personal Ducati 750 SuperSport was transformed into a bike light enough and fast enough to beat the competition. The duo bored the original 748cc engine to 883cc and reduced weight using revolutionary techniques such as plasma-spraying aluminum rotors and fabricating titanium axles – all technology that was previously off limits to a privateer team. The two Cycle magazine editors captivated readers month after month as they chronicled their pursuit of victory at Daytona. When Daytona arrived they won the race; creating a moment in Ducati history that stands out to this day. That's where this story begins I suppose......
That's Cook Neilson (pronounced "Nelson"). Cook and his life long best friend, Phil Schilling did something in 1977 that captured the imagination of motorcyclists all around the USA. They built and raced "Old Blue", born when Cook’s personal Ducati 750 SuperSport was transformed into a bike light enough and fast enough to beat the competition. The duo bored the original 748cc engine to 883cc and reduced weight using revolutionary techniques such as plasma-spraying aluminum rotors and fabricating titanium axles – all technology that was previously off limits to a privateer team. The two Cycle magazine editors captivated readers month after month as they chronicled their pursuit of victory at Daytona. When Daytona arrived they won the race; creating a moment in Ducati history that stands out to this day. That's where this story begins I suppose......
That's Rich Lambrechts, creator of "Deja Blue" an exact replica of Old Blue commissioned by the Barber Museum to surprise Cook and Phil. They would count among the "friends" on the medallion.
That's Rich Lambrechts, creator of "Deja Blue" an exact replica of Old Blue commissioned by the Barber Museum to surprise Cook and Phil. They would count among the "friends" on the medallion.
Barber Vintage Weekend. Cook was the guest of honor and Cook and Phil were speaking at a fund raiser Friday night.
Barber Vintage Weekend. Cook was the guest of honor and Cook and Phil were speaking at a fund raiser Friday night.
Like everything else at Barber's, the evening was memorable, great food, great company and Cook and Phil's speech's brought the crowd to their feet
Like everything else at Barber's, the evening was memorable, great food, great company and Cook and Phil's speech's brought the crowd to their feet
But there was a surprise brewing, literally hiding in the closet. That's Rich Lambrechts and Danny Carson (Ducati North America) making some last minute preperations. Meet "Deja Blue"
But there was a surprise brewing, literally hiding in the closet. That's Rich Lambrechts and Danny Carson (Ducati North America) making some last minute preperations. Meet "Deja Blue"
Out front the festivities were in full swing.
Out front the festivities were in full swing.
Cook donated this beautiful oil painting to the museum, and Phil read the story that was written to go with it when it was an illustration in Cycle.
Cook donated this beautiful oil painting to the museum, and Phil read the story that was written to go with it when it was an illustration in Cycle.
After Cook's talk on the last time he saw (and rode) Old Blue, a moment that was the intended highlight of the evening, off in the background there was a small noise, something mettalic and everybody turned to look. This is Cook and Phil's faces at the moment they saw Deja Blue
After Cook's talk on the last time he saw (and rode) Old Blue, a moment that was the intended highlight of the evening, off in the background there was a small noise, something mettalic and everybody turned to look. This is Cook and Phil's faces at the moment they saw Deja Blue
gallery pages:  1  2  3  4  5  6  >  >>

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