RM Sotheby's organized the auction last weekend in Los Angeles The Junkyard: Rudi Klein Collection. This legendary collection, which has long been the subject of rumor and mystery, has provided collectors and enthusiasts with a rare opportunity to own some of the most desirable cars on the planet.
The auction captured global attention, achieving total sales of $29,616,400 (equivalent to €27,274,483), with 100% of the lots sold, nearly double the pre-auction estimate of $17 million. The auction was attended by bidders from 39 countries and 36 states in North America, with nearly a third of participants being first-time bidders, making it a truly global gathering of collectors and car enthusiasts.
“We knew we had something truly special from the moment we announced this sale,” said Cary Ahl, a specialist at RM Sotheby's. “Rudi Klein's collection has been a source of fascination for decades, and when the story finally came to light, the global response was immediate and overwhelming. From the beginning, our team devoted countless hours to working on this treasure trove of cars and parts, reviewing everything from a remote Alloy Gullwing Reaching for a unique Caracciola 500 K and three Lamborghini Miuras, each an icon in its own right. The world has watched these historic vehicles leave Rudy's old junkyard home, and our team is now working to ensure they reach the hands of collectors around the world safely Only Sotheby's can organize an event of this magnitude, highlighting hidden pieces of automotive history and placing them in the collections and garages of those who truly appreciate them.
The ten available pieces that achieved the highest value were distributed as follows:
1. Mercedes-Benz 300 SL “Alloy” Gullwing from 1956 ($9,355,000, about €8,615,253);
2. Mercedes-Benz 500 K 'Caracciola' Special Coupe (Sindelfingen) from 1935 ($4,130,000, ca. €3,803,420);
3.Horch 855 Special Roadster (Gläser) from 1939 ($3,305,000, about €3,043,657);
4.Iso Grifo A3/L Spider Prototype (Bertone) from 1964 ($1,875,000, ca. €1,726,734);
5. Lamborghini Miura P400 (Bertone) from 1968 ($1,325,000, about €1,220,225);
6. Mercedes-Benz 300 SL Roadster from 1957 ($1,187,500, about 1,093,598 euros);
7. Porsche 356 B 1600 'Twin-Grille' Roadster (D'Ieteren) from 1962 ($1,160,000, ca. €1,068,273);
8. Lamborghini Miura P400 S (Bertone) from 1969 ($967,500, about €890,994);
9. Porsche 356 A Carrera 1500 GS/GT Coupe (Reuter) from 1959 ($885,000, ca. €815,018);
10. Lamborghini Miura P400 (Bertone) from 1967 ($610,000, about €561,764);
Highlights
One of only 29 alloy Gullwings ever produced, this exceptional 1956 Mercedes-Benz 300 SL 'Alloy' Gullwing is the only example originally finished in black with a red leather interior. It was ordered new by legendary Ferrari importer and Le Mans champion Luigi Chinetti, and was purchased by Rudi Klein in 1976. Remarkably, this magnificent car never left Klein's “backyard” for almost 50 years, making its recent sale for $9,355,000 more Significance by setting a new world record for the most valuable Alloy Gullwing ever sold, emerging into the spotlight after decades out of the spotlight.
A 1935 Mercedes-Benz 500 K 'Caracciola' Special Coupe, produced by Sindelfingen, sold for $4,130,000. Built specifically for Mercedes-Benz racing champion Rudi Caracciola, this unique 500K is one of the most desirable Mercedes-Benz models. Acquired by Rudi Klein in 1979 – out of the public eye since 1980 – it remains one of the most desirable cars of the last 50 years. Previously owned by Dr. Milton Roth and M.L. “Bill” Post, the car retains its original Caracciola nameplate, representing a long-overdue opportunity for restoration and rediscovery.
A 1939 Horch 855 Special Roadster, produced by Gläser, sold for $3,305,000. This exceptional car was the only Horch 855 ever produced, and was previously owned by Purcell M. Ingram and the Brucker Movieworld Collection. She appeared in the September 1954 issue of Road & Track magazine alongside Rock Hudson in The world is oursBeing part of the Klein Collection since 1980.
Miura
The sale also highlighted the growing value of the Lamborghini Miura, with three impressive sales reflecting its status. A 1968 Lamborghini Miura P400, designed by Bertone, sold for $1,325,000, while a 1969 Lamborghini Miura P400 S, also from the Italian design house, sold for $967,500. Additionally, a 1967 Lamborghini Miura P400, which was always a Bertone production, sold for $610,000. These results underscore the ongoing appreciation for the Miura, cementing its position as one of the most sought-after luxury classics in automotive history.
To learn all about this and all other RM Sotheby's auctions, check out their page at rmsothebys.com.
Photographs: RM Sotheby's
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