Junkyard Clearance of Rare Classic Cars Generates Massive Money

The sale of Rudi Klein’s collection of exotic wrecks was always going to attract global interest, but hardly anyone predicted the global interest and insanely high prices this clearance would generate.

Held over two days in late October, the sale conducted by RM Sotheby’s saw 567 lots offered at unreserved prices. Most of the items were old engines, incomplete car bodies and pallets of parts. However, the sale also brought to light some extraordinary vehicles that were being seen publicly for the first time in decades.

1. #1 - US$9.35M:1956 Mercedes-Benz 300SL Alloy Body Gullwing 

Although some lots brought prices that looked relatively low, like Porsche 928 V8 engines at US$600 or a rare Ferrari grille that made US$1200, almost everything reached its estimated range, with the high-profile cars generally realising considerably more.

Most sensational and recording top price by far for the sale was an incredibly rare, alloy-bodied Mercedes-Benz 300SL Gullwing coupe. Despite a pre-sale estimate of US$4-6 million, bidders continued to battle until the car eventually sold for US$9,355,000. That amount would then attract a Buyer Premium which added 10 percent to the Hammer Price.

1. #2 - 1935 Mercedes-Benz 500K Caracciola Special Coupe by Sindelfingen 

Second on the sales list at US$4.13 million was a 1935 Mercedes-Benz with an immense and fascinating history but which hadn’t been publicly sighted in more than 40 years.

Built for Grand Prix superstar and speed record holder Rudolf Caracciola, the specially-bodied 540K Roadster had enjoyed a fascinating existence; at one point being hidden in a manure pile before winning awards at the Pebble Beach Concours d’elegance then being left to accumulate dust in one of Klein’s many storage sheds.

1. #3 - US$3.3M: 1939 Horch 855 Roadster by Gläser-Karosserie 

Although neglected, the 540K will need minimal work when compared with some other stars of the Junkyard sale. 

These included a trio of Lamborghini Miuras which despite varying degrees of damage and decay realised prices between US$600,000 and US$1.35 million. 

Another car needing significant work but which will be stunning when restored is the one-off Iso-Grifo Spider which topped US$1.8 million.

1. #4 US$1.875M: 1964 Iso Grifo Spider Prototype by Bertone 

An offering that also ranked as unique but needing minimal work was the Glaser bodied Horch 855 Roadster. It is believed to be the only Model 855 to survive and prior to sale had been on display for many years in the Audi Museum.

1. #5 - US$1.35M: 1968 Lamborghini P400 (metallic green) 

Numerous Porsches were listed and sold during the two-day event, but none brought more money or was in better condition than a quite remarkable 356B Cabriolet. 

1. #6 - US$1.187M: 1957 Mercedes-Benz 300SL Roadster   

Built in 1962, this 356 was sold new in Germany but soon after shipped to the USA where it was housed in several collections and travelled minimal distance. During the 1980s, after being acquired by Rudi Klein, it was documented and photographed in minute detail as a guide for businesses involved in 356 Porsche restoration. When listed for sale, curators for PM Sotheby’s noted that the car was showing slightly more than 600 verified miles from new.

1. #7 - US$1.16M: 1962 Porsche 356B Twin Grille Cabriolet 

Lower down the price scale, the Klein collection offered plenty of opportunities for anyone looking to acquire a challenging project.

Among the most complex but rewarding when completed would be the rare and mostly intact Mercedes-Benz 600 Pullman.  It sold for US$67,000 and will require many times that amount in restoration costs but when finished will join just a handful of Pullmans known to survive from the production run of 487 cars.

1. #9 - US$885,000: 1959 Porsche 356A Carrera 1500GS/GT 

Top 10 Results – Rudi Klein Junkyard Auction

1. US$9.35M:1956 Mercedes-Benz 300SL Alloy Body Gullwing 

2. US$4.13M: 1935 Mercedes-Benz 500K Caracciola Special Coupe by Sindelfingen 

3. US$3.3M: 1939 Horch 855 Roadster by Gläser-Karosserie 

4. US$1.875M: 1964 Iso Grifo Spider Prototype by Bertone 

5. US$1.35M: 1968 Lamborghini P400 (metallic green) 

6. US$1.187M: 1957 Mercedes-Benz 300SL Roadster   

7. US$1.16M: 1962 Porsche 356B Twin Grille Cabriolet 

8. US$967,500: 1969 Lamborghini Miura P400S (blue) 

9. US$885,000: 1959 Porsche 356A Carrera 1500GS/GT 

10. US$610,000: 1967 Lamborghini Miura P400