The Junkyard Collection: Sale Date Announced for Rudi Klein’s Legendary Hidden Los Angeles Car Collection

Rudi Klein’s hidden collection will hit the market on 26 October in a live auction in Los Angeles, with an online component, beginning a new chapter for the long-rumored collection that has intrigued collectors for decades.

• The collection includes some of the most sought-after classic cars, such as the 1956 Mercedes-Benz 300 SL ‘Alloy’ Gullwing and the 1935 Mercedes-Benz 500 K ‘Caracciola’ Special Coupe by Sindelfingen
• The auction will feature over 350 lots of rare car parts, including engines, body panels, transmissions, and more, with over 200 of the most desirable items available in the live auction, totaling over 550 lots
• This will be the first time these cars will be seen by collectors after decades of speculation and intrigue surrounding the collection’s contents
• Other notable vehicles include a 1957 Mercedes-Benz 300 SL Roadster, the only 1964 Iso Grifo A3/L Spider Prototype by Bertone, and three Lamborghini Miuras, offering rare opportunities for restoration
• To view photos of all lots, please click here

LOS ANGELES, CA – September 28, 2024 – (Motor Sports NewsWire) – The Junkyard: The Rudi Klein Collection, a legendary assemblage long the subject of rumors and intrigue, features some of the world’s most sought-after cars, including the elusive Alloy Gullwing Mercedes-Benz. These vehicles will be sold on 26 October 2024, during a live and online auction event, offering a rare opportunity for collectors to acquire these iconic automobiles.

Rudi Klein, a German immigrant who arrived in the late 1950s, transitioned from a butcher to founding ‘Porche Foreign Auto’ in 1967, dealing in European classic cars. Over the decades, he quietly amassed a significant collection of collector cars, housed in a scrapyard on the outskirts of Los Angeles, shrouded in myth and speculation. Now, for the first time, this legendary collection will be offered at public auction, showcasing many cars unseen for generations.

“We knew we had something special when we announced this sale a few months ago, and it was immediately validated when the global press erupted as soon as the story broke. These cars have captured the imagination of enthusiasts around the globe, a true testament to the treasures the Klein family preserved in California. Knowing that an Alloy Gullwing and a Mercedes-Benz 500 K, both long rumored to be part of this collection, will soon find new homes and be enjoyed by enthusiasts just as Rudi did is truly incredible.” – Cary Ahl, Car Specialist, RM Sotheby’s 

In addition to the cars, the Rudi Klein Collection includes a vast assortment of parts—carburetors, engines, transmissions, wheels, and more—everything you’d expect from a scrapyard filled with European classics. Over 350 lots will be available online, with more than 200 of the most desirable lots featured in the live auction, for a total of over 550 lots.

1956 Mercedes-Benz 300 SL ‘Alloy’ Gullwing

One of only 29 Alloy Gullwings ever produced, this is the sole example originally finished in Black over Red leather. Ordered new by legendary Ferrari importer and Le Mans champion Luigi Chinetti, it was acquired by Rudi Klein in 1976. Having never left the Klein “yard” in nearly 50 years, this unrestored example retains its original interior, body, engine, and key mechanical components. Accompanied by fascinating documentation, it stands as one of the most significant post-war Mercedes-Benz cars to come to market in decades, with an unduplicatable history and provenance.

1935 Mercedes-Benz 500 K ‘Caracciola’ Special Coupe by Sindelfingen

Built specifically for Mercedes-Benz’s champion racing driver, Rudi Caracciola, this one-off 500 K is one of the most sought-after Classic Era Mercedes-Benz cars. Acquired by Rudi Klein in 1979 and unseen by the public since 1980, it remains one of the most pursued Full Classic automobiles of the last half-century. Formerly owned by Dr. Milton Roth and M.L. “Bill” Post, the car comes with its original build sheet, bearing Caracciola’s name, and represents a long-awaited opportunity for restoration and rediscovery.

1957 Mercedes-Benz 300 SL Roadster

One of only 30 Roadsters factory-equipped with the highly desirable competition-derived Rudge wheels, this example retains its matching-numbers engine, rear axle, and body components. Originally finished in the iconic Fire Engine Red (DB 534), it is documented with a copy of the factory delivery sheet. This early Roadster is an ideal candidate for restoration and holds a prestigious position in the Mercedes-Benz collector car niche.

1939 Horch 855 Special Roadster by Gläser

The sole surviving production Horch 855, this exceptional automobile was once owned by Purcell M. Ingram and the Brucker Movieworld Collection. Featured in the September 1954 issue of Road & Track and seen alongside Rock Hudson in The World Is Ours, the car has been part of the Klein Collection since 1980. As one of the most desirable cars of its era, this Horch 855 represents a unique opportunity for collectors and is a future star at concours events.

1964 Iso Grifo A3/L Spider Prototype by Bertone

The only original Iso Grifo convertible ever built, this one-off prototype was a companion to the A3/L prototype coupe, featuring unique styling elements. Displayed on the European auto show circuit when new, it was acquired by Rudi Klein in 1980 from renowned enthusiast Greg Garrison. Largely unseen for over 40 years, this car offers immense restoration potential and could become a prominent player on the concours stage.

1968 Lamborghini Miura P400 by Bertone and 1969 Lamborghini Miura P400 S by Bertone

The Lamborghini Miura, widely regarded as the world’s first modern supercar, was revolutionary with its rear-placed V-12 engine and stunning coachwork. These two Miuras, both stored in the Junkyard for over 40 years, present golden opportunities for collectors. The 1968 Miura P400, the 159th of 275 built, retains its matching-numbers V-12 engine and original Giallo Miura paint. Meanwhile, the 1969 Miura P400 S offers an early-production example with documented provenance, finished in its original Bleu paintwork over a matching interior. Both cars represent exceptional opportunities for restoration and a return to the world stage.

Here are the top 10 cars from The Junkyard: The Rudi Klein Collection with their make, model, year, and estimated value:

1. 1956 Mercedes-Benz 300 SL ‘Alloy’ Gullwing – $4,500,000 to $6,000,000
2. 1935 Mercedes-Benz 500 K ‘Caracciola’ Special Coupe by Sindelfingen – $4,000,000 to $6,000,000
3. 1939 Horch 855 Special Roadster by Gläser – $3,000,000 to $4,000,000
4. 1957 Mercedes-Benz 300 SL Roadster – $800,000 to $1,000,000
5. 1964 Iso Grifo A3/L Spider Prototype by Bertone – $700,000 to $1,000,000
6. 1969 Lamborghini Miura P400 S by Bertone – $500,000 to $700,000
7. 1968 Lamborghini Miura P400 by Bertone – $500,000 to $700,000
8. 1959 Porsche 356 A Carrera 1500 GS/GT Coupe by Reutter – $450,000 to $600,000
9. 1962 Porsche 356 B 1600 ‘Twin-Grille’ Roadster by D’Ieteren – $350,000 to $550,000
10. 1967 Lamborghini Miura P400 by Bertone – $350,000 to $450,000

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About RM Sotheby’s

RM Sotheby’s is the world’s largest collector car auction house by total sales. With over 40 years of proven results in the collector car industry, RM’s vertically integrated range of services, from auctions (live and online) and private sales to estate planning and financial services, coupled with an expert team of Car Specialists and an international footprint, provide an unsurpassed level of service to the global collector car market. RM Sotheby’s is currently responsible for six of the top ten most valuable motor cars ever sold at auction.

Source: RM Sotheby’s

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