Rudi Klein stands out as an enigmatic figure in the car-collecting world. Born in Germany and later moving to the United States in the 1950s, Klein initially worked as a butcher. However, he found himself drawn to a different passion: the world of automobiles. In the 1960s, he left the butchery trade and, lacking the funds to purchase high-end cars, took a unique route into the automotive world by establishing a scrapyard. There, he focused on salvaging and collecting damaged, wrecked, or abandoned cars. His scrapyard quickly became a haven for rare finds, though his collection remained a well-guarded secret until after his death in 2021.
For years, enthusiasts speculated about Klein’s elusive collection, piecing together scant details and unconfirmed stories. In October 2023, RM Sotheby’s finally pulled back the curtain, presenting “The Junkyard,” an extraordinary auction featuring 208 of Klein’s 567 accumulated treasures. The remaining lots, mostly comprising engine parts and tools, were auctioned online. Despite many of the vehicles showing signs of age—rust, peeling paint, and missing parts—the event was nothing short of historic. Automotive enthusiasts were drawn not by pristine exteriors but by the rare and significant pieces hidden beneath the layers of dust.
The auction offered an extraordinary range of iconic vehicles, including numerous Mercedes-Benz models. Among them was a rare Pullman and an exceedingly rare 300SL Gullwing. Thought to be lost, this Gullwing became a star of the auction and ultimately fetched $9.35 million. Originally delivered in black, it was later repainted in silver, obscuring one of its most unique features. Despite minor damages, such as a dented rear bumper, the car's value as the only Gullwing originally finished in black made it an exceptional find.
Another showstopper from Klein’s collection was a 1935 Mercedes-Benz 500K Coupé. This particular model was once commissioned for legendary European racing champion Rudolf Caracciola, adding layers of provenance to its allure. Hidden from the public eye since Klein acquired it in 1980, the 500K became a sought-after “Holy Grail” for collectors, ultimately selling for an impressive $4.1 million.
The auction’s third highest sale was a 1939 Horch 855 Roadster, which sold for $3.3 million. Horch was one of Mercedes-Benz’s leading competitors in the 1930s, and the 855 Roadster was known for its elegance and outstanding performance. This model had previously achieved a level of fame, having appeared in the 1959 film The World Is Ours, where it was famously driven by actor Rock Hudson. The car was eventually acquired by Purcell Ingram, owner of the Kings of the Road Museum, further cementing its legacy as a star both on and off the silver screen.
A 1968 Lamborghini Miura P400 rounded out the auction’s highest sales, achieving a final price of $1.3 million. Often regarded as the predecessor to the modern supercar, the Miura is a dream acquisition for serious collectors. Klein’s Miura had languished in the Junkyard for nearly five decades, believed to be lost to the automotive world. Astonishingly, it retained its original matching-numbers V12 engine and coachwork, making it a prime candidate for restoration.
Each of these vehicles presents unique possibilities, both for enthusiasts seeking original parts for restorations and for collectors eager to own rare pieces of automotive history. Rudi Klein’s Junkyard proved that value can lie far beyond a car’s cosmetic condition. The collection brought in a total of $29.6 million, an extraordinary figure for cars often seen as “scrap.” Yet, for serious collectors, the auction revealed a treasure trove of automotive history waiting to be preserved and appreciated.
The unveiling of the Junkyard collection has left collectors and enthusiasts in awe of what Klein achieved in his lifetime. The auction demonstrated that hidden gems are still out there, waiting in garages, barns, and scrapyards. As RM Sotheby’s continues its legacy of extraordinary sales, we can only imagine what other secret collections may one day come to light.
