Pagoda SL Group
W113 Pagoda SL Group => General Discussion => Topic started by: 66andBlue on September 04, 2024, 05:52:53
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RM Sothebys announced a rather unusual auction for junkyard cars: :o
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
(https://media0.faz.net/ppmedia/1.9947476/default-retina)
(https://media0.faz.net/ppmedia/1.9947475/default-retina)
If you need some parts here is your chance! ;D
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What's the car on the right in the first picture? Just checking if I want that one too ;D
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https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/BMW_503
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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
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Ah, didn't see that one, it was off the page on my screen, i have no idea!
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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.
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Looks like a Borgward Isabella
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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/
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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https://www.msn.com/en-gb/cars/enthusiasts/this-mercedes-300sl-was-pulled-out-of-a-junkyard-i-drove-it-on-the-track/ar-AA1BfIaw?ocid=entnewsntp&pc=LCTS&cvid=e5daff7f63be41bd98811eb8bdf3f7dc&ei=62
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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.
All Gullwings (sic) did not have aluminum fenders. The standard body was steel. The doors, hood, trunk lid, rocker panels, firewall and instrument panel were made of aluminum. The 29 aluminum body or "alloy" cars had their side and rear windows fashioned from Plexiglas to save weight and were equipped with Rudge Knock-off wheel hubs. These 29 cars are well documented and the Klein Gull Wing was definitely one of them, i.e., chassis number 198.0435500872.
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Alloy Gullwing sold for double the estimate. Some hefty prices for other items. Amazing.
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If you got the money, there is no matter how much it would cost to restore, it will get done. The folks with all the money, will think of this SL as their project car, just as we think of our Pagodas as project cars. Only difference in many cases is that we do the project hands on, as they hire a restoration company to do the hands on. It will be just another trophy car, sitting in a climate controlled garage and only let out to do Pebble Beach.