You remember the Baillon sale organized by Artcurial? It was at Rétromobile in 2015, and cars in poor condition reached monstrous prices there. We will remember the €16,288,000 obtained for the Ferrari 250 GT California SWBthen an absolute record for this model, yet to be restored.
Well ! The Canadian house RM Sotheby's has joined the path traced by Artcurial. From October 26 to 28, she presented at auction a collection, so to speak, that of Rudi Klein, a Californian thief. We warn you, it was the filth bounty!
Named “ The Junkyard », “La Casse”, it still brought together some of the most sought-after classic cars today, including an extremely rare Mercedes-Benz 300 SL Caisse Aluof which only 29 units were manufactured. Although it no longer has its initial color, this German splendor from 1956 retains all its original mechanics, which is very rare.
Never seen at auction, it therefore panicked buyers, who fought to afford it. And despite its pitiful condition (as a good breaker, Rudi Klein had even sold a few of his pieces!), the offers soared, peaking at $9,355,000, well beyond the high estimate of 6,000. 000 €. Here too, it is a world record.
There, we wonder if the super-rich are crazy. Of course, when there are two of them fighting over a prize, they forget the amounts, just for the pleasure of beating their opponent. But this Mercedes 300 SL, however dilapidated it may be, has a very original story and reveals itself in a unusual authenticity (Rudi Klein bought it first hand from Luigi Chinetti).
As all this is now public, we can imagine that it is already arousing covetousness of other billionaire collectors. So, it can be resold for at least the price it was paid for. And when you spend almost $10 million on a car, what does a nice restoration cost?
The sale having generated 29.6 million dollars, we suspect that other tired models have broken the ceiling. It is. Another Mercedes achieved a huge figure, a 500K Roadster Special from 1935not very fresh either, but built especially for Rudolf Caracciola, star pilot of the 1930s. It has already been restored, so is intrinsically healthy, and sold for a whopping $4,130,0000… A veil of paint, and presto!
The other 300 SL, a 1957 roadster fitted with Rudge wheels, was truly decayed and incomplete. It still went for $1,187,500, the price of a very well restored example.
As for the Lamborghini Miura, they were hard to see. One, a 1969 P400S, had completely lost its front bodywork, which didn't stop it from selling for $967,500. The other, a 1968 P400, dented, rusty and covered in dust, went for $1,325,000.
But there was even worse! Let's mention the Ferrari 365 GTC4 stoned which realized $106,400, the 1960 Porsche 356B 1600 Roadster Drauz completely exploded ($70,000), the 1968 Maserati Mistral reduced by a quarter (€64,400) or the mush Ferrari 330 GTC sold for $39,200.
There was dozens of leftover sports carsbadged Porsche, Maserati, Ferrari or Aston Martin, leftovers from Mercedes, and spare parts, including prestigious but ruined engines that make one wonder what buyers will be able to do with them. They will always be able to say: “I was there”.
