A rare 1956 Mercedes-Benz 300SL’Alloy” The gull wing is offered as part of RM Sotheby’s Junk yard: Rudi Klein Collection It was sold at auction for $9,355,000. One of 29 Alloy Gullwings ever produced, and the only example said to feature black trim and a red leather interior, this car carries significant history tied to legendary Ferrari importer and Le Mans champion Luigi Chinetti.

It is thought that Chinetti, who reportedly ordered the car through the Saporiti dealership in Milan in 1956, may have intended to compare it with his own stable of Ferraris. The car found a new owner in 1976 when it was purchased by Rudi Klein, who kept the car almost secret for nearly 50 years. Notably, Klein never drove or displayed the car outside of his private garden, preserving its original interior, body, engine, gearbox and other key components.

With its lightweight aluminum body and more powerful NSL engine, the Alloy Gullwing was originally designed as a racing version of the famous 300 SL with sports suspension, Rudge mountable wheels and Plexiglas rear window. The model, which was only produced for one year due to high costs and competition from established racing manufacturers, has become a highly sought-after rare model.

Recorded with just over 45,000 miles, this car’s originality is evident with its preserved original parts and meticulously documented history. RM Sotheby’s described the model as “extraordinarily original” and one of the most unique examples of the model.