The Junkyard Collection Auction: $29.6 Million in Live Sales as Collectors from Around the Globe Dove into Rudi Klein’s Secretive Collection

Nearly doubling the pre-sale low estimate of $17 million, Rudi Klein’s famed collection sold for $29.6 million, breaking records for multiple models, including the only black Alloy Gullwing, which fetched $9.3 million.

• Rudi Klein’s Collection sold for $29.6 million, nearly doubling the pre-sale low estimate of $17 million, with 100% of lots sold.
• Bidders from 39 countries and 36 US states participated, with nearly a third being first-time bidders, highlighting the event’s global appeal.
• The auction included some of the world’s most sought-after vehicles, including the record-setting 1956 Mercedes-Benz 300 SL ‘Alloy’ Gullwing sold for $9,355,000.
• Other notable sales included the 1935 Mercedes-Benz 500 K ‘Caracciola’ Special Coupe for $4,130,000 and the 1939 Horch 855 Special Roadster for $3,305,000.
• The auction showcased three Lamborghini Miuras, with the 1968 Miura P400 selling for $1,325,000, reflecting the model’s rising value and desirability.
• The sale marked the first time many of these cars had been seen by the public in decades, bringing hidden pieces of automotive history to light.
• The online sale remains open until the evening of 28 October, providing additional opportunities for collectors to acquire these remarkable pieces.
• For results, click here, for photos, click here. 

BLENHEIM, ONTARIO – October 29, 2024 – (Motor Sports NewsWire) – RM Sotheby’s hosted The Junkyard: The Rudi Klein Collection auction this past weekend in Los Angeles. This legendary assemblage, long the subject of rumors and intrigue, offered collectors and enthusiasts a rare opportunity to acquire some of the world’s most sought-after cars. The sale captured global attention, realizing a total of $29,616,400 in sales, with 100% of lots sold, nearly doubling the pre-auction estimate of $17 million. The auction saw participation from bidders across 39 countries and 36 US states, with nearly a third of participants being first-time bidders, making it a truly global gathering of collectors and car enthusiasts.

“We knew we had something truly special when we first announced this sale,” said Cary Ahl, Specialist, RM Sotheby’s. “The Rudi Klein Collection has been a source of intrigue for decades, and when the story finally broke, the global response was immediate and overwhelming. From the very beginning, our team dedicated countless hours uncovering this treasure trove of cars and parts, sorting through everything from the elusive Alloy…