Encountering a Mercedes 300SL Gullwing is a memorable experience. I still recall the first time I spotted one in a restaurant’s parking lot during the Greenwich Concours d’Elegance; it left me in awe. However, stumbling upon another Gullwing, this one covered in dust and clearly abandoned in a California junkyard for decades, is a shocking sight for entirely different reasons. Yet, the classic Gullwing isn’t the only million-dollar classic car tucked away in Rudi Klein’s junkyard, as his impressive collection is set to go under the hammer at RM Sotheby’s in October.
The auction, titled “The Junkyard: The Rudi Klein Collection,” might just be the most astonishing auction lot I have ever encountered. While it’s typical to find a few unexpected classic cars in a junkyard, Klein’s collection is remarkable, featuring countless Porsche 356s, several Lamborghini Miuras, and numerous prewar Mercedes models. It’s akin to discovering oil while rummaging through trash. Among the treasures is a unique 1935 Mercedes-Benz 500K ‘Caracciola’ Special Coupe, reportedly valued at over $10 million, casually sitting amid rusted wheels and tattered seats. Additionally, that previously mentioned 300SL Gullwing is rumored to be one of just 29 lightweight “alloy” Gullwings ever manufactured.
According to the tale, Rudi Klein was an exceptionally private individual who safeguarded his collection of automotive gems from public view for years within the confines of his scrapyard, Porsche Foreign Auto. Originally from Germany, he relocated to America in the 1950s and established his scrapyard business in Los Angeles in 1967, where he also traded in European classics—many of which he seemingly hoarded for himself. I can’t help but envision Klein as the Daniel Plainview of forgotten collector cars.
Car enthusiasts in Los Angeles were aware that Klein had a trove of treasures, but the full extent was unknown. There were whispers about the Gullwing, and rumors circulated about the Mercedes 500K, yet much of the collection remained a mystery—until now. After their father’s passing, Klein’s two sons took over the business in 2001 and have finally decided to put the collection up for auction.
Did I mention that this collection also includes the only factory-built Iso Grifo convertible? It boasts the only known surviving 1939 Horch 855 Roadster as well. While RM Sotheby’s has yet to release many images or a complete inventory of the collection, the disarray of these vehicles only adds to their potential value, with each expected to be worth staggering sums. These automobiles were feared lost to history, yet they have become the objects of desire for collectors around the globe. It wouldn’t be surprising if one of them claims premier recognition at Pebble Beach next year.
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