Rudi Klein's "Junkyard" collection in Los Angeles is set to be auctioned off more than 20 years after his passing. This remarkable collection features a number of rare and valuable cars, including multiple examples of iconic models like the Lamborghini Miura and Mercedes-Benz 300 SL.
The crown jewel of the collection is likely to be a 1935 Mercedes-Benz 500K, once owned by legendary racing driver Rudolf Caracciola. After decades of neglect under the California sun, these highly coveted classic cars are finally headed to auction.
Klein, a German immigrant, began building this collection in 1967 when he started a scrapyard business in South Central Los Angeles. Following his death in 2001, the collection was inherited by his two sons but has remained untouched until now. It has been consigned to RM Sotheby's and will be auctioned in late October.
Among the standout cars is an exceptionally rare Alloy Gullwing version of the Mercedes-Benz 300 SL, one of only 29 ever produced. This particular example, the only one originally delivered in black, was once owned by famous Ferrari importer Luigi Chinetti. Another Alloy Gullwing, in perfect condition, fetched nearly $7 million at auction in 2022.
Also of note is the one-of-a-kind 1935 Mercedes-Benz 500K, originally owned by pre-war Grand Prix legend Rudolf Caracciola, which is expected to be the most valuable car in the collection. The auction will also feature a 1939 Horch 855 Special Roadster, reportedly owned by Eva Braun, a 1967 Iso Grifo A3/L Spider Prototype by Bertone, and several Porsche 356 models.
A passionate car enthusiast, Klein had a keen eye for rare vehicles, particularly those from Germany. He often purchased them as wrecks, anticipating the scarcity of spare parts. Consequently, many of the cars will require extensive restoration to return them to roadworthy condition.
Details on the full list of cars, as well as the auction's date and location, will be released soon.
