Exploring the Legacy of Ford Performance Through John Barnes' Collection
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Meet John Barnes: Preserving the Legacy of American Performance Cars
When it comes to automotive memorabilia collections, few rival the incredible archive amassed by John Barnes of Ballston Spa, NY. Known in his hometown for his passion for all things automotive, John has spent over 50 years building one of the largest Ford and Shelby memorabilia collections in the country. His collection spans everything from the early days of Carroll Shelby’s AC Cobra and the GT-40 to modern Ford performance icons like the GT500 — and everything in between.
We first met John through a family connection. My dad worked with him years ago, and in 1992, John brought his Shelby GT-350 Mustang to my small collision repair shop, Elmo’s Auto Body, for a repaint. It was a memorable project, and seeing that Mustang win local and national awards over the years has been an honor. Little did I know at the time just how extensive John’s collection would become.
Today, we’re excited to share some of that history with you through our Ford Collection at Vintage Art Garage.
A Collection That Spans the Greatest Eras of Performance Cars
John Barnes’ collection isn’t just limited to Mustangs. It covers some of the most legendary cars and drivers in automotive history, making it a true celebration of American performance cars. His memorabilia includes rare brochures, posters, photographs, and more — much of it tied to key moments in the history of Ford and Shelby American.
Let’s take a quick journey through some of these eras and why they’re significant.
The AC Cobra and GT-40: Shelby’s Early Legends
Few cars are more iconic than the AC Cobra, the car that put Carroll Shelby on the map. Born from a partnership between Shelby and British manufacturer AC, the Cobra combined European styling with American V8 power, creating a lightweight performance car that could compete on the track.
But Shelby’s real triumph came with the Ford GT-40. In the 1960s, Henry Ford II set his sights on beating Ferrari at Le Mans, and Shelby American delivered. The GT-40’s historic 1-2-3 finish at Le Mans in 1966 remains one of the most famous moments in racing history.
John’s collection includes brochures and posters commemorating this golden era of Ford racing. You’ll find rare memorabilia featuring legendary drivers like Ken Miles and Dan Gurney, who helped secure Ford’s dominance on the world stage.
Shelby’s Chrysler Era: The Unexpected Chapter
While Carroll Shelby is most closely associated with Ford, he also had a brief but memorable stint with Chrysler in the 1980s. During this time, Shelby worked with Lee Iacocca to develop high-performance Dodge vehicles, including the Omni GLH (Goes Like Hell) and the Shelby Daytona Turbo Z.
It’s a chapter of Shelby’s career that’s often overlooked, but John’s collection includes rare items from this era, offering a fascinating glimpse into a lesser-known part of automotive history.
The Return to Ford: Shelby’s Modern Legacy
After his time with Chrysler, Shelby returned to Ford in the early 2000s, helping to develop modern performance icons like the Shelby GT500 and the Ford GT. This marked a new chapter in Ford’s performance history, with Shelby-branded Mustangs once again leading the pack.
John’s collection celebrates this modern legacy with brochures, posters, and promotional items from the modern Shelby era. Whether you’re a fan of the classic Mustangs of the 1960s or the high-horsepower muscle cars of today, there’s something in John’s archive to capture your attention.
What You’ll Find in Our Ford Collection
We’ve been working closely with John to curate some of the best pieces from his collection for our Ford Collection at Vintage Art Garage. From rare dealer brochures to vintage posters and promotional items, each piece tells a story of American automotive history.
Some of the highlights include:
- Vintage Mustang dealer brochures, covering everything from the early models to the popular later versions. We cover them all, including the popular Fox Body.
- Shelby GT-350 and GT-500 memorabilia
- Posters celebrating iconic Ford vehicles, including the GT-40 and AC Cobra
These items aren’t just for collectors — they make great gifts for car enthusiasts and anyone with a passion for classic cars.
We’re continually adding new items from John’s collection, so be sure to check back often for the latest additions.
Explore More in Our Import Collection
While our focus has always been on American classics, we also have a growing collection of vintage import brochures and memorabilia. From Toyota to Nissan Z-cars, these pieces capture the global influence of performance cars and offer something for every car enthusiast.
Check out our full Import Collection here.
Why Vintage Art Garage?
At Vintage Art Garage, we’re passionate about preserving automotive history. Every piece in our collection — from dealer brochures to vintage ads — is an original artifact, carefully preserved and presented to bring a little bit of the past into your home or garage.
We don’t just sell memorabilia; we upcycle history by carefully dry-mounting our original vintage magazine ads to ensure a smooth, wrinkle-free finish. This meticulous process sets our vintage prints apart, offering superior durability and presentation compared to competitors.
We also offer a premium 1 1/4-inch satin black frame option, handcrafted in-house. Unlike thin, mass-produced frames, our custom frames provide a durable, high-quality finish that enhances each piece of wall art.
Custom Framing Services
We offer custom framing for any print or brochure image from our collection to create a personalized piece of wall art. Our handcrafted 1 1/4-inch satin black frame provides a durable, high-quality finish that enhances each piece and adds a professional, long-lasting touch to your decor. Let us help you transform a piece of automotive history into a standout addition to your space.
Retro Wall Classics
Our retro wall classics are licensed reproductions and make a great accent for your garage decor or man cave. These pieces add a nostalgic touch to any space, offering a stylish nod to automotive history. Each reproduction captures the spirit of classic car culture, making it a thoughtful gift or unique addition to any car enthusiast’s collection.
Stay Connected: Follow Our Journey Through Automotive History
We’ll continue to share stories from John Barnes’ collection on our blog and social media channels. Make sure to follow us on Facebook and Instagram for updates, and sign up for our newsletter to be the first to know about new additions to our collection.
Explore the Ford Collection today and discover a piece of American performance history to call your own.