10 Classic Cars From Rudi Klein’s Huge ‘Junkyard’ Collection
In the 1950s, Rudi Klein began amassing a remarkable collection, creating one of America’s most celebrated automotive hoards.
Hidden in a California salvage yard, this secretive vault sheltered hundreds of unique vehicles, from Duesenbergs to Ferraris, fiercely protected by Klein’s vigilant oversight.
Far from a mere junkyard, his trove was a meticulously curated sanctuary, rarely glimpsed by outsiders.
1. The Million-Dollar Mercedes 300SL Gullwing
Tucked away under decades of dust sat not one but several Mercedes 300SL Gullwings – cars now worth millions each. Klein somehow acquired these iconic sports cars when they were considered just ‘used cars’ rather than the blue-chip collectibles they are today.
What made these particular examples special was their originality. While many Gullwings have been restored multiple times, Klein’s specimens remained untouched time capsules with original paint and interiors.
2. 1939 Horch 855 Special Roadster
A singular survivor, the only 1939 Horch 855 Special Roadster by Glaser sat in Klein’s collection, its red-and-cream elegance faded but intact after decades in Hollywood’s spotlight.
Once a museum piece and show car, this pre-war German marvel fetched $3.305M, its straight-eight engine a testament to Horch’s engineering prowess.
Rescued from obscurity, it carries the weight of a vanished era.
3. 1964 Iso Grifo A3/L Spider Prototype
Shrouded in mystery, the 1964 Iso Grifo A3/L Spider Prototype, a one-off Bertone creation, stunned the world when it emerged from Klein’s yard, selling for $1.875M.
Displayed at 1964’s Geneva Motor Show beside designer Giorgetto Giugiaro, this repainted convertible once belonged to TV producer Greg Garrison.
Its sleek lines and show-car pedigree make it a rolling piece of automotive art.
4. 1968 Lamborghini Miura P400
The supercar that started it all, a 1968 Lamborghini Miura P400 by Bertone, lay half-buried in Klein’s junkyard, its iconic curves battered but unbowed, fetching $1.325M.
This barn-find beauty, one of three Miuras in the collection, sparked fierce bidding as collectors vied for a piece of the car that birthed the supercar era.
Even in decay, its V12 heart still pulses with rebellion.
5. 1957 Mercedes-Benz 300 SL Roadster
Gleaming in its factory Fire Engine Red, this 1957 Mercedes-Benz 300 SL Roadster, one of 30 with Rudge wheels, rusted quietly in Klein’s labyrinth, its matching-numbers engine untouched since the 1970s.
Sold for $1.1875M, this open-top icon carries the legacy of its Gullwing sibling with effortless grace. A faded star reborn, it proves Klein’s yard was a vault of dreams.
6. 1969 Lamborghini Miura P400 S
Another Miura masterpiece, this 1969 P400 S, lay in Klein’s yard, its V12 growl silenced but its allure undimmed, commanding a seven-figure sum at auction.
Its weathered body told stories of the supercar revolution it helped ignite, captivating bidders worldwide. Klein’s hoard proved a time machine, preserving this Italian icon for a new generation of dreamers.
7. Maybach SW 38 Sport Cabriolet
Among Klein’s relics, a 1938 Maybach SW 38 Sport Cabriolet endured as a pre-war marvel, its Hermann Spohn coachwork faded but regal.
Once a vehicle for Europe’s affluent, its straight-six and swing-axle suspension evoked autobahn elegance, drawing costly bids for its rare allure, one of fewer than 500 crafted.
8. Ferrari 275 GTS
Concealed in Klein’s California hoard, a 1965 Ferrari 275 GTS rested under dust, its Pininfarina lines and open-top charm a shadow of Maranello’s 1960s glory.
One of 200 built, this V12 convertible, once a coastal cruiser, inspired high-value dreams among collectors uncovering Klein’s treasures.
9. Iso Grifo Series I
Hidden in Klein’s automotive vault, a 1966 Iso Grifo Series I stood as an Italian-American hybrid, its Bertone styling and Chevrolet V8 cloaked in rust.
An early example of European finesse and raw power, its worn chrome and leather fueled costly aspirations for collectors piercing Klein’s secrecy.
10. Horch 853
Preserved in Klein’s storied trove, a 1937 Horch 853 reigned as a pre-war German icon, its flowing fenders and straight-eight motor aged but noble.
Once favored by Europe’s elite, its opulent interior and engineering evoked grand tours, inspiring high-value bids for one of fewer than 1,000 built.