The Rudy Klein Collection

[66andBlue]

RM Sothebys announced a rather unusual auction for junkyard cars: 
https://rmsothebys.com/auctions/rk24/
"For decades, a mythical collection of incredible cars has sat in the hot California sun, some covered, some exposed to the elements. A collection whose existence was only a rumor, or mere whisper shared amongst enthusiasts. Inside of its barbed wire fence lived legends like the rarest Mercedes-Benz ever built, an Alloy Gullwing, long thought lost, and other fabled and rare cars. It was a collection never to be seen by the inquiring minds who had all tried, and failed, to gain entry. ... "

A more detailed article about this collection appeared in the German newspaper FAZ with a few more astonishing photos:
https://www.faz.net/aktuell/technik-motor/motor/rudi-kleins-schrottplatz-in-los-angeles-eine-unfassbare-sammlung-19947481.html



If you need some parts here is your chance! 

[JamesL]

What's the car on the right in the first picture? Just checking if I want that one too 

[BobH]

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/BMW_503

[JamesL]

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/BMW_503

That I know, along with the gullwing, 356 and Facel - the other one is on the right and you can just see the rear wing/fender and fuel flap

[BobH]

Ah, didn't see that one, it was off the page on my screen, i have no idea!

[Cees Klumper]

I believe that owner advertised from time to time on LA Craigslist, with outrageously high prices for basically junk. I think I posted one of those ads here once. I guess there's an end to every 'collection' like this eventually.

[bogeyman]

Looks like a Borgward Isabella

[BobH]

That I know, along with the gullwing, 356 and Facel - the other one is on the right and you can just see the rear wing/fender and fuel flap

Here it is:

https://rmsothebys.com/auctions/rk24/lots/r0224-1939-maybach-sw38-pontonsport-cabriolet-by-wendler/

[Duncan200]

I believe that owner advertised from time to time on LA Craigslist, with outrageously high prices for basically junk. I think I posted one of those ads here once. I guess there's an end to every 'collection' like this eventually.

I tend to agree with you Cees.

Seems to be a lot of scrap metal which were once beautiful cars, trying to be sold at a premium to someone with a very vivid imagination.

[Jonny B]

I scanned through the auction items. Yup, mostly junk, with high price estimates. There were  a few gems in there, that is, cars that looked complete and shiny, who know what they looked like underneath.

I was surprised to see an alloy Gullwing. It looked complete, with an auction estimate of 4-6 million. As the alloy gullwings are quite a different critter than the steel ones, who knows what a restoration would cost.

[MikeSimon]

I scanned through the auction items. Yup, mostly junk, with high price estimates. There were  a few gems in there, that is, cars that looked complete and shiny, who know what they looked like underneath.

I was surprised to see an alloy Gullwing. It looked complete, with an auction estimate of 4-6 million. As the alloy gullwings are quite a different critter than the steel ones, who knows what a restoration would cost.

I am always suspicious of descriptions provided by auction houses. Considering that all Gullwings had aluminum fenders and doors, there is a possibility that an "expert" called this an "alloy" Gullwing. AFAIK, there were only 29 made. Would be surprised if there was one no accounted for hiding in this here.

[Jonny B]

Fair enough about "experts" re the Gullwing.

But they did have a note stating that is was #26 of 29 that were made. And they had an extensive history note about the car.