Mother of all barn finds - PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum

Dubyagee · #1 09-23-2012, 10:15 AM

Lee Hartung collection

Lee Hartung Collection: Introduction - YouTube

Fulcrum525 · #2 09-23-2012, 11:42 AM

Well for a hoarder at least his main hall was relatively organized! Also after watching a subsequent video it was found that he took care of the cars to make sure that they could always be made to work again. (Drained the gas tanks and poured extra oil into the cylinders to prevent rust)

The Swede · #3 09-23-2012, 12:20 PM

Chasing Classic Cars featured this auction in 2 episodes ( one for bikes, the other cars) last year.

chasinthesun · #4 09-23-2012, 02:32 PM

Some kind of paradise for pickers ,in most cases you get what you buy ,junk .This guy knew gold from junk.

Delibes · #5 09-23-2012, 04:21 PM

t walgamuth · #6 09-23-2012, 10:13 PM

Amazing. It is better than the reality shows on tv.

I'm tempted to go to the auction myself. Its not too far away.

The Swede · #7 09-23-2012, 10:14 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by t walgamuth

Amazing. It is better than the reality shows on tv.

I'm tempted to go to the auction myself. Its not too far away.

Missed it by like a year.

t walgamuth · #8 09-23-2012, 10:18 PM

Drat!

Hatterasguy · #9 09-24-2012, 09:21 PM

Very cool.

Looks like most of those cars would be eligible for preservation and maybe a minor mechanical restoration.

They are only original once and I'm glad to see more preservation class cars at local shows.

vwbuge · #10 09-25-2012, 05:53 AM

I almost cried watching that video and the next when they started pulling out the old bikes. He had several 4 cylinder Indians, Hendersons and Excelsiors. The 4 cylinder motor in those bikes were basically designed by the same man. Each one in that condition is surely worth $20k plus.

t walgamuth · #11 09-25-2012, 06:18 AM

I was thinking some of the motorcycles might be worth 100K in running original condition. I suppose the results of the auction are around on the net.

SwampYankee · #12 09-25-2012, 07:52 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by vwbuge

I almost cried watching that video and the next when they started pulling out the old bikes. He had several 4 cylinder Indians, Hendersons and Excelsiors. The 4 cylinder motor in those bikes were basically designed by the same man. Each one in that condition is surely worth $20k plus.

Quote:

Originally Posted by t walgamuth

I was thinking some of the motorcycles might be worth 100K in running original condition. I suppose the results of the auction are around on the net.

1911 Flying Merkel $201,250
1912 Harley Davidson $115,000

I did see the Chasing Classic Cars episodes, it was cool to see some of those bike coming back to life after sitting for so long. Several were gas-and-go.

All told, the auction brought in $4,000,000!

Results here.

t walgamuth · #13 09-25-2012, 09:00 AM

Thanks Swamp! I have a weakness for the model a roadster pickup.

I did not see any motorcycle results on that site.

SwampYankee · #14 09-25-2012, 10:05 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by t walgamuth

Thanks Swamp! I have a weakness for the model a roadster pickup.

I did not see any motorcycle results on that site.

Now that you mention it, they aren't on there. That's weird.

Those were prices I remembered from the show.

vwbuge · #15 09-25-2012, 10:23 AM

Those inline 4s bring far more money than your typical old Harley or Indian chief. A ton more money when you get into lesser known makes like Flying Merkel, Ace, Arrow, Pope, etc.