[BaZa®]

...............North Suburban Chicago.

You’ve heard the stories. “pulled it outa’ a barn”,.... “ it was buried under some junk in a basement”,.... “my uncle’s friend gave it to him to take care of right before he shipped out”. Countless versions of stories depicting the find of a rare antique. Most are true, some have been embellished and taken on a life of their own. Lee Hartung has countless stories, but in Lee’s case, he has the physical evidence to prove it.

Tucked inside a huge metal building located in a secret area in North Suburban Chicago is all the proof Lee needs to back up his stories. Crammed inside his ‘barn’ are his finds just the way he found them. From his record collection of license plates to Model As, Model Ts, Harley Davidsons, Excelsiors, Popes, Indians, Hendersons, Super Xs, and countless other nic-naks. Big shots from Dale Walksler to Jay Leno know Lee. His collection is highly coveted but is not for sale. Lee has turned down countless offers and is content to hold onto his ‘junk’.
A couple times a year we visit Lee and are spellbound as he spins his tales about collecting things his whole life. Lee was a junk man along with being an avid motorcycle enthusiast.
Sunday we rode out to Lee’s place again and got the ‘tour’. It was cold & windy and with no lighting inside the barn the camera flash was all that illuminated the treasures within. Inside there’s stuff piled on stuff and it takes real study to ‘see’ what you’re lookin’ at. Every time I go I notice something ‘new’ that’s been there all along. I submit these pix as proof that the ‘barn find’ is alive & well. Take your time and enjoy.