RM Sotheby’s announces the auction of a mythical collection of incredible cars that have sat out in the hot California sun—some covered, some exposed to the elements—with “The Junkyard: The Rudi Klein Collection” coming to market in October.
A German immigrant who arrived in North America in the late 1950s, Rudi Klein originally started by scrapping and dealing with European classic cars, resulting in the founding of Porsche Foreign Auto in 1967. For the next several decades, Klein quietly amassed a collection of some of the most significant collector cars of all time while operating his scrapyard on the outskirts of Los Angeles. Not open to the public, the Klein Collection became a place of myth.
Following Klein’s passing in 2001, his family preserved the collection as he left it, with cars remaining untouched and maintaining their “as-is” condition. The forthcoming auctions will be the first time many of the cars have been publicly displayed.
Discovering a hidden Mercedes 500K or an Alloy Gullwing is the kind of story that resonates with everyone, not just automotive enthusiasts, say auction officials.
“What Klein amassed here is one-of-a-kind, and we know that many of these cars will live on for generations, powering new projects or preserved in their original state. It’s a really exciting opportunity for collectors, and the sky’s the limit with this collection,” said Cary Ahl, car specialist, RM Sotheby’s.
The Junkyard: The Rudi Klein Collection includes:
1935 Mercedes-Benz 500 K ‘Caracciola’ Special Coupe by Sindelfingen: One of the most famous pre-war Mercedes-Benz cars, this unique coupe is the only example of its kind, originally delivered to the legendary Mercedes-Benz Grand Prix driver, Rudolf Caracciola.
1955 Mercedes-Benz 300 SL ‘Alloy’ Gullwing: One of just 29 ‘Alloy’ Gullwings produced, this was the only example delivered in Black—and was once owned by legendary racing and Ferrari figure Luigi Chinetti.
1957 Mercedes-Benz 300 SL Roadster: Awaiting a well-deserved restoration, this 300 SL left the factory finished in Fire Engine Red over Cream interior and was equipped with factory Rudge-wheels, the most desirable configuration for an early Roadster.
1939 Horch 855 Special Roadster: Famed for its rakish design and historical significance, this is the only surviving 855, the ultimate Horch automobile. Its fascinating past includes display in early California roadside museums, as well as being used for Hollywood publicity photographs in the 1950s.
1967 Iso Grifo A3/L Spider Prototype by Bertone: The only factory-built Grifo convertible, the unique A3/L Spider was acquired by Rudi Klein many years ago from renowned enthusiast and Hollywood producer, Greg Garrison.
1961 Porsche 356 B 1600 ‘Twin-Grille’ Roadster by d’Ieteren: A classic model known for its distinctive design and performance, in the sought-after ‘Twin-Grille’ configuration—in remarkable original condition, and believed to have fewer than 600 actual miles.
