RM Sotheby’s to Reveal the Legendary Rudi Klein Collection in October 2024

Later this year, the world will finally get to see one of the most secretive and mysterious car collections ever to exist –The Rudi Klein Collection.

The collection, which has only been rumoured to exist and is covered in mystery and myth, will come to auction in October 2024 in Los Angeles with RM Sotheby’s. The auction will mark the first time the public will have access to what has been dubbed “The Junkyard,” an incredible group of rare and iconic vehicles hidden away for decades.

Rudi Klein

Rudi Klein, a German immigrant who initially built his career as a butcher, founded his scrapyard business, Porsche Foreign Auto, in 1967. Over the course of 40 years, Klein quietly amassed an extraordinary collection of European classics, including ultra-rare models from manufacturers such as Mercedes-Benz, Porsche, Aston Martin, and Lamborghini. This collection, which has been the subject of much speculation and rumour within the Southern California car community, remained untouched and hidden from the public eye since Klein’s passing in 2001.

The Auction

The upcoming auction in October 2024 will offer a rare opportunity to own a piece of this legendary collection. Among the highlights is one of the rarest Mercedes-Benz models ever produced: the 1935 Mercedes-Benz 500 K ‘Caracciola’ Special Coupe. Also featured are a long-lost 1955 Mercedes-Benz 300 SL ‘Alloy’ Gullwing and the 1967 Iso Grifo A3/L Spider Prototype, both of which have been sought after by collectors for years.

This event not only provides a glimpse into a collection that has captured the imagination of car enthusiasts for generations but also marks the end of an era of speculation and mystery. For the first time, the world will see the extraordinary vehicles that Rudi Klein so carefully curated and preserved.

Gord Duff, Global Head of Auctions said “Over the past 40 years, our team has brought to market countless significant historical cars, each special in its own way. However, bringing something out of hiding that’s only been rumoured to exist, like the legendary Klein Collection, is truly special. Discovering a hidden Mercedes 500K or an Alloy Gullwing is the kind of story that resonates with everyone, not just automotive enthusiasts. What Klein amassed here is one-of-a-kind, and we know that many of these cars will live on for generations, powering new projects, or preserved in their original state. It’s a really exciting opportunity for collectors, and the sky’s the limit with this collection.”

The Junkyard: The Rudi Klein Collection

To be offered in a series of auctions, both live and online, in October 2024, early highlights of ‘The Junkyard: The Rudi Klein Collection’ include:

1935 Mercedes-Benz 500 K ‘Caracciola’ Special Coupe by Sindelfingen: One of the most famous pre-war Mercedes-Benz cars extant, this unique coupe is the only example of its kind, originally delivered to the legendary Mercedes-Benz Grand Prix driver, Rudolf Caracciola.

1955 Mercedes-Benz 300 SL ‘Alloy’ Gullwing: One of just 29 ‘Alloy’ Gullwings produced, this was the only example delivered in Black—and was once owned by legendary racing and Ferrari figure Luigi Chinetti. It is a unique example of the most sought-after of all 300 SLs, virtually unseen for decades.

1957 Mercedes-Benz 300 SL Roadster: Awaiting a well-deserved restoration, this 300 SL left the factory finished in Fire Engine Red over Cream interior and was equipped with factory Rudge-wheels, the most desirable configuration for an early Roadster.

1939 Horch 855 Special Roadster: Famed for its rakish design and historical significance, this is the only surviving 855, the ultimate Horch automobile. Boasting rich provenance, its fascinating past includes display in early California roadside museums, as well as being used for Hollywood publicity photographs in the 1950s.

1967 Iso Grifo A3/L Spider Prototype by Bertone: The only factory-built Grifo convertible, used for factory publicity photographs, the unique A3/L Spider was acquired by Rudi Klein many years ago from renowned enthusiast and Hollywood producer, Greg Garrison.

1961 Porsche 356 B 1600 ‘Twin-Grille’ Roadster by d’Ieteren: A classic model known for its distinctive design and performance, in the sought-after ‘Twin-Grille’ configuration—in remarkable original condition, and believed to have fewer than 600 actual miles.

Local News – Ed Sheeran Buys Minority Stake In Ipswich Town Football Club

Yesterday, our local football club, Ipswich Town, announced that Ed Sheeran has become a minority shareholder in the Football Club. This comes as the 2024/2025 season is about to begin – the team’s first Premier League season since 2002, following back-to-back promotions from League One.

A lifelong supporter of the Club and the front-of-shirt sponsor for both the Men’s and Women’s teams since 2021, Ed has acquired a 1.4% stake through Gamechanger 20 Ltd.

As part of this agreement, Ed will have access to a personalised executive box at Portman Road stadium for the long term, starting with the 2024/25 season.

It is worth noting that this is a passive and minority investment, and Ed will not be joining the Football Club’s board.

Ed Sheeran said:

“I am really excited to have bought a small percentage of my hometown football club.

It’s any football fan’s dream to be an owner of the club they support, and I feel so grateful for this opportunity.  

I have lived in Suffolk since I was three years old and, while I travel the world and sometimes feel like an outsider in big cities, Suffolk and Ipswich have always made me feel part of the community and protected. 

It’s such a joy to be a fan of Ipswich Town. There are ups and downs but football is all about taking the highs and the lows. I’m not a voting shareholder or a board member, this is just me putting some money into the club I love and them returning the gesture, so please don’t get onto me with signing suggestions or tactics to play!  

I’m excited for the Premier League to start this weekend. Let’s go!”  

Mark Ashton, Chairman of ITFC said:

“This is an incredibly proud day for the Football Club. 

The support Ed and his team have shown us over the last three years has been nothing short of remarkable and for him to make this investment in the Club feels like the natural progression in our relationship.  

For one of the biggest artists in the world to give us so much of his time and give the Club such incredible exposure around the world, while asking for very little in return, highlights just what makes this relationship such a special one.  

It’s been a pleasure to get to know Ed and his team over the last three years and we look forward to building our relationship further now as the Club enters the Premier League.”