Filter

The Lee Hartung Collection to be sold

By Michael E Ware: I was saddened to hear that Lee Hartung of Glenview, Illonois had died in July, and wondered then what would happen to his amazing and eccentric collection of cars, motor cycles and automobilia. Now we know, it’s all to be auctioned by Auctions America in a mammoth three day sale from November 3-5. Lee Hartung had been collecting for around fifty years. He claims most of his collection came from within a few miles of Glenview. Anything automotive he stashed away. He eventually put all of his collection on show in a huge warehouse. If he liked the look of you he would let you in! He placed his large collection of unrestored vehicles on the floor of the building and those pieces of automobilia, bicycles and light weight Whizzer motor cycles that could be hung were put on the walls. When the walls were full he covered the cars with more things, so much so that some cars were invisible. He claimed to have over 100 cars, many were Model T and Model A Fords but there were other makes as well. The automobilia was incredible, pedal cars, radiator mascots, radiator filler caps, radiator badges, lapel badges and pins. Huge boards of sparking plugs, hundreds of car badges and one of the most complete collections of USA registration plates anywhere. He was first and foremost a motor cycle enthusiast and some of his early examples are very rare.       

Gepubliceerd:
zondag oktober 9th, 2011
Onbekend
11 October 2011, 08:05
I had the good fortune to visit Lee and his girlfriend at his museum one lovely summer day. Lee told me the Veritas was commissioned for an American TV show "Boston Blackie" based on a long running popular radio show. Lee also lamented the early death of his daughter and had a coffin in the museum with what appeared to be a blond haired skeleton , draw your own conclusions. I was told the police and coroner investigated for several days on RM's request. I have gone through the catalogue and noticed some missing artifacts including a long run of Illinois motorcycle plates from the teens up all #1 , I can not imagine how anyone could ever get such a run. Also other motorcycle items of interest are not there including a wicker sidecar but Lee did on a rare occasion sell or trade. He told me he never ventured more than 10 miles form Glenview to acquire anything and never paid more than $100 for a bike , zero for japanese bikes which RM did not even bother to catalogue. I imagine they will go for a bit more!
Lees verder
Ace Zenek
10 October 2011, 15:09
He would also only show his collection when the weather was nice. Not too hot and definitely not during the winter months.

It is amazing to think that everything will be sold in only three days. I live nearby and I hope to be able to attend.
Lees verder
Onbekend
10 October 2011, 09:56
Another interesting British car in the Auctions America catalogue is the Armstrong Siddeley on their lot- page 4. This is a 1938 model (not 1934) and is probably a 17 (it looks a bit big for a 14). The cabriolet roof appears to be a pre war conversion of the standard six light touring saloon- it is certainly rare. The company made most of its own coachwork under the Burlington name, but I am not aware that this conversion was a 'standard' factory offering, though I am not an Armstrong Siddeley 'expert'.
Lees verder
Onbekend
10 October 2011, 08:37
A quite remarkable collection. The catalogue has many fine photographs, but sadly exhorts potential customers to 'restore' many perfectly good unrestored cars. It is also very inaccutate. Amongst the many pre war Fords are a few real surprises. On page 29 I found a superb 1939 series Sunbeam Talbot (not 1934, as listed!). This is probably a 3 litre- though the then- new 4 litre was almost identical in appearance. Both were built on a 9ft 10in wheelbase, 3,181/ 4,086cc side valve engines, costing a considerable £410/£455 in 1939. These cars were based on the big Humber Snipe/ Super Snipe models of the day, but on a 4in longer wheelbase and £70 more expensive. Few were made and I have only ever seen one here in England. Owners of 'real' Roesch Talbots (like me!) tend to look down upon these later Rootes cars- but they were really very fine vehicles, robustly made and fast. Despite the 'Sunbeam' Talbot name, I notice that the radiator badge is still to the old Talbot design.
Lees verder
Onbekend
10 October 2011, 08:26
I first visited Lee Hartung's collection in 2001. An amazing experience! Have a look at RM auction's video via Google. One word of warning if anyone is thinking of buying from the auction. Not only will there be a feeding frenzy due to the publicity (and consequently higher prices paid) - unless you live in the US beware, I suspect that many of the cars and motorcycles have no paperwork. If that is so obtaining a replacement registration document in the US can be a real nightmare - this registration document or "Title" you will need if you want to register your purchase in another country. Before my retirement I had many years of experience of buying and shipping client's vehicles worldwide.
Tony Hillyard
Lees verder

Plaats een reactie, stel een vraag, geef uw mening, deel aanvullende informatie of start een discussie door de onderstaande velden in te vullen


Login om uw reactie direct te plaatsen

Afbeeldingen toevoegen aan uw reactie