For decades, a mythical collection of incredible cars has sat in the hot California sun, some covered, some exposed to the elements. A collection whose existence was only a rumor, or mere whisper shared amongst enthusiasts.
Inside of its barbed wire fence lived legends like the rarest Mercedes-Benz ever built, an Alloy Gullwing, long thought lost, and other fabled and rare cars. It was a collection never to be seen by the inquiring minds who had all tried, and failed, to gain entry. That is, until now. RM Sotheby’s is delighted to announce ‘The Junkyard: The Rudi Klein Collection,’ the world’s most secretive collection, tucked away for generations and now coming to market in October 2024.
Rudi Klein
A German immigrant who arrived in North America in the late 1950s, Rudi Klein originally started his career as a butcher, but soon realized a more lucrative living could be had in scrapping and dealing with European classic cars, resulting in the founding of ‘Porche 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 legendary myth, with much speculation surrounding its contents, and very few permitted entry. Now, for the first time, these remarkable automobiles, including several recently returned from Europe, will be available at public auction, offering a long-awaited look at the collection that so many have attempted to see, buy, and source from for over a half-century.
Following Klein’s passing in 2001, his family preserved the collection as he left it, with cars remaining untouched and maintaining their original or ‘as is’ condition. The forthcoming auctions will be the first time many of these cars have been publicly displayed or even seen by current generations.
“Over the past 40 years, our team has brought to market countless significant historical cars, each special in its own way. However, bringing something out of hiding that’s only been rumored to exist, like the legendary Klein Collection, is truly special. Discovering a hidden Mercedes 500K or an Alloy Gullwing is the kind of story that resonates with everyone, not just automotive enthusiasts. 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.” – Cary Ahl, Car Specialist, RM Sotheby’s
The Junkyard: The Rudi Klein Collection
To be offered in a series of auctions, both live and online, in October 2024, early highlights of ‘The Junkyard: The Rudi Klein Collection’ include:
1935 Mercedes-Benz 500 K ‘Caracciola’ Special Coupe by Sindelfingen: One of the most famous pre-war Mercedes-Benz cars extant, 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. It is a unique example of the most sought-after of all 300 SLs, virtually unseen for decades.
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. Boasting rich provenance, 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, used for factory publicity photographs, 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.
