The once-secret collection of Rudi Klein will cross the block at an RM Sotheby’s event in October, headlined by a US$5-million Benz 300SL
- “The Junkyard: The Rudi Klein Collection” auction hits the block in L.A. in late October, hosted by RM Sotheby’s
- The 200-lot sale includes some incredibly rare and desirable European exotics long thought missing
- The headline car is a Mercedes-Benz 300SL, one of 29 with an alloy body, and the only one painted black new
Klein passed away in 2001, but his two sons continued to keep the collection under a very low profile. The sale of Klein’s cars more than two decades later means some cars long thought disappeared have finally resurfaced.
Oh, right, and the Porsches. The Porsches. Klein’s business was known as “Porche Foreign Auto” – that’s how he spelled it – after all. That means roughly half of the 200 lots for sale are worn-out-looking Porsche 356 and 911 engines, which nicely complement the two dozen or so classic Porsche 911s also up for grabs. Calling them “projects” is generous. But if that sort of vintage tin is what you’re into, you’re going to want to get yourself to L.A. for October 25, when the “The Junkyard: The Rudi Klein Collection” sale begins.
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