Incredible Classic Cars Hidden In A Junkyard Head To Auction
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One person’s trash is another person’s treasure
© RM Sothebys – Patrick ErnzenFor more than three decades, Rudi Klein amassed an incredible collection of exotic cars at his salvage yard in the heart of Los Angeles. After his passing in 2001, Klein’s family left the contents of the junkyard untouched.
This weekend will see more than 200 collector cars and associated parts being auctioned by RM Sotheby’s, making this perhaps the world’s most expensive junkyard haul.
Many of the cars listed have not been seen for generations. Here, we preview 10 of the most impressive lots listed for sale.
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1956 Mercedes-Benz 300SL Alloy Gullwing
© RM Sothebys – Patrick ErnzenArguably the world’s first true supercar, the Mercedes-Benz 300SL ‘Gullwing’ was introduced in 1954. A mildly tamed version of the W194 race car, the 300SL was designed to appeal to North American enthusiasts.
The 300SL’s motorsport origins meant some customers used their cars for competition, leading a Mercedes-Benz engineer to propose a version for club racing. The result was the special-order, alloy-bodied 300SL.
Commanding a hefty premium over the already expensive 300SL, just 29 examples of the ‘Alloy’ Gullwing were produced. They are among the most collectible examples of this legendary Mercedes-Benz.
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1956 Mercedes-Benz 300SL Alloy Gullwing
© RM Sothebys – Patrick ErnzenThe 300SL Alloy Gullwing from Rudi Klein’s collection was the 12th example made, being ordered by Ferrari importer and Le Mans champion, Luigi Chinetti. Klein purchased the Gullwing in 1976, paying $30,000 for the German supercar.
Believed to be the pride of Klein’s collection, it has not left the junkyard compound since it arrived in the late 1970s.
Said to be in relatively well-preserved condition, the Gullwing comes with a pre-auction guide price of between $4.5 million and $6 million.
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1957 Mercedes-Benz 300SL Roadster
© RM Sothebys – Patrick ErnzenThe Mercedes-Benz 300SL went from ‘Gullwing’ coupe to open-top roadster in 1958.
Intended to appeal specifically to customers in California, more than 1,800 examples of the soft-top 300SL were produced.
Weighing more than the coupe, the 300SL roadster compensated by generating more power from its 3.0-liter straight-six engine. Indeed, with 240 horsepower, this 300SL could still produce supercar thrills.
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1957 Mercedes-Benz 300SL Roadster
© RM Sothebys – Patrick ErnzenOnly 30 examples of the 300SL roadster were made by Mercedes-Benz with the desirable Rudge knock-off wheels. Naturally, Klein’s collection included one of these, originally finished in Fire Engine Red.
Now ready for restoration, the 300SL is said to retain its original engine and body panels, although the four-speed manual transmission has been replaced at some point.
A guide price of $800,000 to $1 million makes this more affordable 300SL option.
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1935 Mercedes-Benz 500K Caracciolo Coupe
© RM Sothebys – Patrick ErnzenRudolf Caracciola was a legend of the Mercedes-Benz Silver Arrows racing team, winning the pre-WW2 European Drivers’ Championship three times for the German marque.
Such was Caracciola’s importance to Mercedes-Benz, the company built him a unique example of its flagship 500K grand tourer. The taller roofline was designed to better accommodate the German driver, while fitted luggage could be stored behind the front seats.
Caracciola was known to have used the car throughout the late 1930s, it was sold to a dealership and subsequently found abandoned in Ethiopia.
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1935 Mercedes-Benz 500K Caracciolo Coupe
© RM Sothebys – Patrick ErnzenBrought to the United States in the 1960s, the 500K was then restored, and even claimed a second-in-class at the 1966 Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance. Another appearance in 1977 saw it take top honors in its class.
Klein acquired the 500K in 1979 and, after a short period of displaying at shows, placed it into storage.
Only fully uncovered for this pre-auction photoshoot, the unique Mercedes could sell for between $4 million and $6 million.
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1967 Lamborghini Miura P400
© RM Sothebys – Patrick ErnzenThe Klein junkyard collection includes not just one, but three examples of the Lamborghini Miura – often nominated as the most beautiful car ever made.
Styled by Marcello Gandini for Bertone, the Miura was the world’s first mid-engined two-seat supercar, powered by Lamborghini’s 3.9-liter V-12 engine.
This is an early example of the Miura, said to be only the 53rd car made. As a result, it comes with the desirable ‘thin chassis’, made from fractionally lighter steel.
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1967 Lamborghini Miura P400
© RM Sothebys – Patrick ErnzenHaving left the factory with Giallo Muira paintwork, this Lamborghini had a Bleu Fintapelle interior. Little is known about its early life, although it had made its way to California by 1979.
In June 1980, it was resident at Klein’s (deliberately misspelled) Porche Foreign Auto Wrecking, due to an undisclosed issue.
Now ready to return to the road (after some investment of time and money), the Miura comes with a pre-sale estimate of $350,000 to $450,000.
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1968 Lamborghini Miura P400
© RM Sothebys – Patrick ErnzenLike the previous car, this 1968 Lamborghini Miura also left the factory painted in Giallo Muira, but with a Bleu leatherette interior.
Much of the car’s early history is unknown, but it may originally have been owned by Claudio Zampolli, a Lamborghini factory engineer and test driver.
Zampolli was also an importer of Lamborghinis to the United States, which may explain how this car arrived in California.
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1968 Lamborghini Miura P400
© RM Sothebys – Patrick ErnzenRepainted in the distinctive bright aqua green at some point in its life, the Miura entered Klein’s yard in 1978. It then spent the next 46 years under a cover.
Said to be number 159 out of a production-run of 275 P400 models, this Miura retains its original V-12 engine and bodywork.
With much work needed to return it to full health, the Lamborghini has an estimate of between $500,000 and $700,000.
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1969 Lamborghini Miura P400 S
© RM Sothebys – Patrick ErnzenThe third Lamborghini Miura in Klein’s collection is the upgraded P400 S, introduced in late 1968 at the Turin Auto Show. It addressed some of the complaints about the original model, adding extra luggage space, along with features such as a locking glove box and a cigar lighter.
More significantly, new camshafts boosted the 3.9-liter V-12 in the P400S to deliver an extra 20 horsepower, taking total output to 370 horsepower.
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1969 Lamborghini Miura P400 S
© RM Sothebys – Patrick ErnzenSaid to be one of the earliest examples of the Miura P400 S, this car still has its original Bleu paintwork, which is combined with Bleu leatherette and cloth upholstery.
First delivered to an Italian owner, it was acquired by Rudi Klein in 1978, after being involved in a front-end collision. This may explain the absence of a front clamshell and rocker panel trim.
Even without these parts, however, the Miura could achieve $500,000 to $700,000 on the auction block.
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1966 Iso Grifo Series I
© RM Sothebys – Patrick ErnzenProduced between 1965 and 1974, the Iso Grifo was a grand tourer designed to compete with the best from Ferrari and Maserati. Offered with a series of American-sourced V-8 engines, the Grifo blended Italian style with muscle car brawn.
An early Series I example, this particular car left the factory on July 4 1966. It was equipped with the high-output version of the Chevrolet 327-cubic inch V-8, offering 365 horsepower.
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1966 Iso Grifo Series I
© RM Sothebys – Patrick ErnzenFirst sold to an Italian owner, the Iso Grifo is likely to have travelled to the United States with a US military serviceman. It was subsequently acquired by Klein in 1971, with almost exactly 50,000 miles recorded on its odometer.
Collision damage to the driver’s door is notable, as are the additional dents and rust patches across the bodywork. The original seats have been removed, too.
As the base for a restoration project, the Grifo could sell for between $125,000 and $175,000.
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1959 Porsche 356 A Carrera 1500 GT Coupe
© RM Sothebys – Patrick ErnzenPorsche 356 models are highly collectible, despite some 76,000 being made during a production run that spanned 17 years.
Introduced in 1955, the 356 A added a number of changes to the rear-engined sports car, including the option of a 1.5-liter Carrera flat-four engine.
Based on the stampings, this 356 A features the 12th example of the rare 692/1 Carrera engine, of which only 15 are believed to have been made.
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1959 Porsche 356 A Carrera 1500 GT Coupe
© RM Sothebys – Patrick ErnzenRecords show this Porsche 356 A was sold to a customer in New Jersey, finished in Metallic Silver, and with the option of an exterior mirror. Collected from the Porsche factory when new, it became the property of Rudi Klein in August 1976.
Original features such as Reutter badges, a wood-rimmed steering wheel and Hella lenses mark this 356 A out as being the Carrera GT/GS version.
Such is its well-preserved originality and rarity, a guide price of $450,000 to $600,000 has been given.
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1962 Porsche 356 B 1600 Roadster
© RM Sothebys – Patrick ErnzenLike the previous coupe, this Porsche 356 B ‘Twin Grille’ Roadster is said to be entirely unrestored and in original condition.
Only 250 examples of the 356 B Roadster were built in this spec, intended as the run-out version before production of the revised Porsche 356 C began.
According to Porsche Kardex records, this 356 B Roadster was the penultimate Twin Grille example produced, shipped in March 1962.
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1962 Porsche 356 B 1600 Roadster
© RM Sothebys – Patrick ErnzenPainted in Oslo Blue, with a gray leatherette interior, the Roadster was first delivered to Germany, then later exported to Los Angeles. Later passing through both Florida and Oregon, the 356 B was bought by Klein in 1978 and stored at his home.
Incredibly, fewer than 600 miles have been recorded on the Porsche’s odometer. Loaned to Porsche restorers during the 1980s to act as a template for other cars, it later was placed back in Klein’s private collection.
Such staggering originality explains the $350,000 to $550,000 guide price.
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1968 Mercedes-Benz 600 Pullman
© RM Sothebys – Patrick ErnzenIn terms of sheer metal for your money, a Mercedes-Benz 600 Pullman should deliver good value at the RM Sotheby’s auction.
Favored by celebrities and dictators alike, some 304 examples of the four-door Pullman were produced. This car comes in six-seat guise, with room to transport four people in the rear. A powered divider separates the occupants from their chauffeur.
Powered by a 6.3-liter V-8 engine, Mercedes-Benz made extensive use of hydraulics throughout the 600 Pullman, including for its pneumatic self-leveling suspension.
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1968 Mercedes-Benz 600 Pullman
© RM Sothebys – Patrick ErnzenA complex network of hydraulic pipes and tubes uses pneumatic pressure to operate the windows, adjust the seats and even automatically close the doors.
Whether this Pullman’s hydraulics still work is for its new owner to discover. However, it has been off the road since being acquired by Rudi Klein in 1975.
For Mercedes-Benz collectors, the all-important radiator support tags are still present, helping towards a $40,000 to $50,000 guide price.