Mythical Rudi Klein Junkyard Collection Fetches $29.6M at Auction

A dusty industrial compound in South Los Angeles that collector circles spoke of only in hushed whispers for over half a century has officially rewritten the record books. RM Sotheby’s has completed its highly anticipated public sale, titled 'The Junkyard: The Rudi Klein Collection', bringing in a phenomenal total of $29,616,400. In a powerful demonstration of collector enthusiasm, the event achieved a rare 100-percent sell-through rate, nearly doubling the pre-sale low estimate of $17 million.

The auction represented the first time the public was granted access to one of the most enigmatic automotive troves in the world. Encompassing weathered supercars, pre-war coachbuilt masterpieces, bare shells, and rare period engines, the auction proved that history, scarcity, and originality still command top dollar even in a selective collector market.

The Legend of Porche Foreign Auto Unlocked

The myth began with Rudi Klein, a former butcher who emigrated from Germany to the United States in the late 1950s. In 1967, Klein launched an auto salvage yard under the moniker Porche Foreign Auto in an unglamorous corner of Los Angeles. Rather than crushing or reselling every imported exotic that arrived at his yard, Klein chose to store significant vehicles, historic engines, and hard-to-find components behind high corrugated tin walls and razor wire.

For decades, only a handful of privileged individuals ever stepped beyond the gates. Klein developed a reputation for refusing to sell his most prized possessions, regardless of the financial offers placed before him. When Klein passed away in 2001, the compound remained undisturbed, preserved like an automotive time capsule under the California sun until his family entrusted RM Sotheby’s to bring the entire inventory to global auction.

Alloy Gullwings and Pre-War Icons Shatter Valuations

The undisputed crown jewel of the event was a 1956 Mercedes-Benz 300 SL 'Alloy' Gullwing. As the 26th of only 29 lightweight alloy-bodied examples ever manufactured, and the sole model originally specified in black paintwork, the car possessed unimpeachable credentials. Originally delivered new to legendary Ferrari importer and racing driver Luigi Chinetti, it was acquired by Klein in 1976 for $30,000. Despite carrying decades of junkyard grit and a rear-end crease from a forklift incident in 1981, spirited international bidding pushed the hammer price to a sensational $9,355,000, establishing a world auction record for any 300 SL Gullwing.

Historic pre-war machinery also commanded extraordinary interest. The legendary 1935 Mercedes-Benz 500 K 'Caracciola' Special Coupe by Sindelfingen, constructed specifically for Grand Prix champion Rudolf Caracciola, crossed the block for $4,130,000. Right behind it was an ultra-rare 1939 Horch 855 Special Roadster with coachwork by Gläser, which found a new custodian for $3,305,000. Enthusiasts of postwar Italian sports cars engaged in dramatic bidding over a trio of derelict Lamborghini Miuras, headlined by a preserved 1968 Miura P400 that brought $1,325,000, while the unique 1964 Iso Grifo A3/L Spider Prototype designed by Bertone fetched $1,875,000.

A Defining Moment for the International Collector Market

The auction drew verified bidders from 39 countries and 36 U.S. states, with RM Sotheby’s reporting that roughly one-third of the participants were first-time bidders. Beyond the multi-million-dollar marquee cars, over 350 lots consisting of carburetors, gearboxes, and salvaged body panels saw intense global competition, demonstrating how critical period-correct components have become for historic restoration projects worldwide.

Industry analysts point out that while the broader collector car market has seen cooling trends and price adjustments for mid-tier production classics, authentic preservation, one-off provenance, and undisturbed discoveries retain exceptional market power. The Rudi Klein sale underscores that true barn-find legends are not merely cars—they are irreplaceable cultural artifacts that continue to ignite the imagination of the global classic car community.