A hidden treasure trove of classic cars, long shrouded in mystery, is finally coming to light. RM Sotheby’s has announced the upcoming auction of “The Junkyard: The Rudi Klein Collection,” set to take place in October 2024. This auction is generating significant buzz in the automotive world, not just for the cars on offer, but for the story behind them.
Rudi Klein, a German immigrant who arrived in North America in the late 1950s, started his journey as a butcher before founding Porsche Foreign Auto, a scrapyard business in Los Angeles, in 1967. Over the decades, Klein amassed an impressive collection of European classic cars, all of which were kept under tight security, hidden behind barbed wire. Very few people ever saw these vehicles, as the scrapyard was never open to the public. Even after Klein’s death in 2001, his sons continued to keep the collection hidden from prying eyes.
The secrecy surrounding Klein’s collection has led to widespread speculation and myths about what exactly was behind those closed gates. Now, over two decades later, the world is finally getting a glimpse of this legendary collection. RM Sotheby’s has described it as “the largest secret automotive hoard in the world,” and it includes some truly remarkable and rare vehicles.
Among the highlights is the 1935 Mercedes-Benz 500 K ‘Caracciola’ Special Coupe, a one-of-a-kind pre-war masterpiece that was long thought to be lost. This car, named after the legendary German racing driver Rudolf Caracciola, is expected to be a centerpiece of the auction. Another standout is a 1955 Mercedes-Benz 300 SL ‘Alloy’ Gullwing, one of only 29 ever built and originally delivered in black. This particular car was once owned by Luigi Chinetti, the famed Ferrari importer.
The collection also includes the only surviving 1939 Horch 855 Special Roadster and the only factory-built Iso Grifo convertible, further adding to its rarity and allure. Early images from the auction preview suggest that more than one Lamborghini Miura will be available, as well as numerous Porsche 911 and 356 models in various states of disrepair.
While the full lot list has not yet been confirmed, the anticipation is building as RM Sotheby’s prepares to release the complete catalog in September. This auction presents a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for collectors and enthusiasts to own a piece of automotive history from one of the most secretive and exclusive car collections in the world.
Elizabeth Puckett
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