Legendary Cars Rescued From The Rust Heap
Junkyards are the place where one man's trash truly becomes another man's treasure. To most, junkyard cars seem like scrap metal. But a discerning eye can appreciate those vehicles that once turned heads.
1949 Plymouth Special Deluxe
Built during an era when American car manufacturers focused on comfort and design, the 1949 Plymouth Special Deluxe was a symbol of post-war automotive evolution. One of them was found in a yard between Denver and Cheyenne, but the insides are rotten.
1949 Plymouth Special Deluxe (Cont.)
Found at French Lake Auto Parts in Minnesota, this gorgeous vehicle had been sitting undisturbed for decades. According to Classic.com, a fully restored version of the 1949 Plymouth Special Deluxe can fetch around $40,000.
1956 Mercedes-Benz 300 SL 'Alloy' Gullwing
The 1956 300 SL Alloy Gullwing was a limited-production model with only 29 units ever built, which makes it exceedingly rare. This particular car features a lightweight aluminum body derived from racing technology and was ordered by race-car driver Luigi Chinetti, who sold it to Rudi Klein in the 1970s.
1956 Mercedes-Benz 300 SL 'Alloy' Gullwing (Cont.)
In a recent auction, this car was expected to sell for a price between $4 and $6 million. However, someone paid $9.3 million to get it. The racing champion is powered by a 3.0L inline-6 engine, which delivers 240 hp to reach 155 mph.
1933 Horch 780 Sport Cabriolet
Nothing speaks of the glory of pre-war German vehicles more than a restored 1933 Horch 780 Sport Cabriolet. The 780 Sport Cabriolet was designed to rival Mercedes-Benz and other luxury brands and it became part of Klein’s collection in 1982.
1933 Horch 780 Sport Cabriolet (Cont.)
Its breathtaking design featured sweeping fenders, intricate chrome detailing, and a spacious, luxurious cabin with wood and leather elements. Production numbers were limited, and many vehicles were lost during WW2. A restored 780 Sport Cabriolet can fetch hundreds of thousands of dollars, based on its condition.
1969 Mach 1 Mustang
Muscle car lovers are in for a treat with the 1969 Ford Mustang Mach 1. It was introduced as a high-performance version of the Mustang with aggressive styling cues. One vehicle was rescued from the junkyard of Colorado Auto & Parts after being ignored for more than 30 years.
1969 Mach 1 Mustang (Cont.)
Inside the Mach 1, you'd find a deluxe interior with woodgrain accents and a rally-style instrument cluster. The top-performing engine offered 335 hp, and the heavy-duty suspension made it as capable on the track as it was on the street.
1968 Lamborghini Miura P400 by Bertone
Rudi Klein's junkyard is a haven for rare car lovers. The 1968 Lamborghini Miura P400, designed by Bertone, is often regarded as the world's first supercar. Its mid-engine layout revolutionized sports car design and set a new standard for performance and aesthetics.
1968 Lamborghini Miura P400 by Bertone (Cont.)
Penned by Marcello Gandini, the Miura's sleek, low-slung body with signature "eyelash" headlights became an instant icon. The car has a transverse-mounted 3.9L V12 engine, which reaches 171 mph and features a lightweight chassis with advanced aerodynamics for exceptional handling and speed.
1977 Buick Skylark
Representing the highlight of the fourth-generation design, the 1977 Buick Skylark emphasized affordability and luxury in a single package. A beat-up specimen was found near Reno, Nevada, but it still holds its charm. It’s one of the models that carried the Skylark badge after Buick ditched the Apollo one.
1977 Buick Skylark (Cont.)
The Skylark featured a plush interior with optional upgrades like air conditioning and premium upholstery to cater to a wide audience of drivers looking for a comfortable daily driver. This particular Skylark was discovered at French Lake Auto Parts, a vintage car enthusiast’s paradise.
1964 International Scout
According to Classic.com, a restored 1964 International Scout can be sold for $20,000 to $40,000. It's considered one of the pioneers of the SUV segment, predating many of its competitors, like the Ford Bronco. Some Scouts can be found in family barns in remarkable conditions.
1964 International Scout (Cont.)
Developed by International Harvester, the Scout was a rugged off-road vehicle designed for versatility and durability. Its boxy design and removable hardtop made it a favorite among farmers and adventurers. It features a 2.5L four-cylinder engine, and its strong four-wheel-drive system ensures it can handle rough terrain with ease.
1976 Mercedes 280
The 1976 Mercedes-Benz 280 is a mid-size luxury sedan with a unique design twist: vertical headlights instead of the more commonly seen horizontal arrangement. This distinctive feature gave the 280 a classic yet bold appearance, which can be seen on a CE version spotted at a Denver self-service wrecking yard.
1976 Mercedes 280 (Cont.)
Powered by a 2.8L inline-6 engine, the Mercedes 280 could provide a smooth and refined driving experience back in the day. It featured advanced options for the time, such as power steering, air conditioning, and plush interiors with leather upholstery.
1931 Mercedes-Benz 370S Mannheim Sport Cabriolet
Another gem found in the Rudi Klein collection is a rare 1931 Mercedes-Benz 370S Mannheim Sport Cabriolet. This is a masterpiece of pre-war automotive engineering. Only a handful of these vehicles were ever produced, which makes it one of the rarest and most desirable Mercedes-Benz models of its era.
1931 Mercedes-Benz 370S Mannheim Sport Cabriolet (Cont.)
Its elegant cabriolet body, hand-crafted by renowned coachbuilders, combined luxury with performance in an era when such a blend was truly groundbreaking. It has a 3.7L straight-six engine, capable of hitting almost 71 mph—significant for the time.
1935 Mercedes-Benz 500K ‘Caracciola’ Special Coupe
Named after Rudolf Caracciola, the legendary Mercedes-Benz racing driver, the 1935 Mercedes-Benz 500K 'Caracciola' Special Coupe is one of the most extraordinary cars ever produced. Its streamlined body, crafted by Mercedes-Benz's in-house Sindelfingen coachbuilding division, was an Art Deco masterpiece.
1935 Mercedes-Benz 500K ‘Caracciola’ Special Coupe (Cont.)
With a 160 hp output, this car could reach more than 100 mph easily. Moreover, it came with a supercharger that provided more power. Rudolf Caracciola sold the car in the late 1930s, and it was restored in the 1960s.
1967 AMC Amitron
Found abandoned at a barn, according to the US Sun, the 1967 AMC Amitron was a pioneering electric vehicle prototype developed by AMC in collaboration with Gulton Industries. Unveiled in 1967, the Amitron was designed as a compact commuter car with a futuristic clamshell canopy and seating for three passengers.
1967 AMC Amitron (Cont.)
Its most groundbreaking feature was its electric propulsion system, which used a combination of nickel-cadmium and lithium-nickel-fluoride batteries. This innovative setup provided a claimed range of up to 150 miles at 50 mph. Additionally, the Amitron incorporated regenerative braking technology, which allowed it to recharge its batteries during deceleration.
1964 Chevrolet Corvair
At first glance, the 1964 Chevrolet Corvair found at French Lake Auto Parts doesn't seem very promising. But some restoration can get this controversial beast back on the road with its sleek, understated design and advanced engineering.
1964 Chevrolet Corvair (Cont.)
This car attracted significant attention upon release. It was designed as a compact, affordable alternative to larger sedans and featured an innovative air-cooled, rear-mounted engine—an unusual choice for an American car at the time. It was available in various body styles, including a coupe, sedan, and convertible.
1938 Maybach SW38 Sport Cabriolet
The 1938 Maybach SW38 Sport Cabriolet is a luxurious masterpiece from one of Germany's most prestigious automakers. Crafted during the golden age of pre-war automotive design, the SW38 combined state-of-the-art engineering with unmatched elegance. It once belonged to the circus director Carl Krone before it made its way to Klein.
1938 Maybach SW38 Sport Cabriolet (Cont.)
Under the hood, the SW38 was powered by a 3.8L inline-six engine producing 140 hp. It featured advanced engineering for its time, including a fully synchronized four-speed manual transmission and independent suspension for a smooth and refined driving experience.
1983 Mk1 Volkswagen Golf GTI
Many consider the 1983 Mk1 Volkswagen Golf GTI the pioneer of the hot hatchback segment by combining everyday practicality with spirited performance. Introduced in 1976, the GTI featured a fuel-injected 1.6-liter inline-four engine, later increased to a 1.8-liter engine.
1983 Mk1 Volkswagen Golf GTI (Cont.)
Coupled with the car's lightweight construction, this power allowed it to hit 60 mph in approximately 10 seconds and achieve a speed of around 116 mph. A car was found in a barn and became the goal of a restoration project.
1938 Cadillac
The 1938 Cadillac is one of the finest examples of pre-WW2 luxury cars. It came with innovations in design and engineering, with features like its V8 engine and the graceful lines of its bodywork. Only a small number of 1938 Cadillacs are still in existence due to their age.
1938 Cadillac (Cont.)
French Lake Auto Parts, often referred to as Junktown, is home to this beautiful ride and other classic vehicles. The junkyard's vast collection allows car enthusiasts and restorers a chance to recover parts and vehicles that would otherwise be lost to history.
1967 Ford Mustang GT Fastback
The 1967 Ford Mustang GT Fastback is one of the most loved muscle cars of the 1960s, and its design has become synonymous with American performance cars. Two abandoned cars were found in a junkyard in California.
1967 Ford Mustang GT Fastback (Cont.)
Ford introduced higher performance specs with the Mustang GT line compared to the base model. The 1967 Mustang GT Fastback came equipped with a 390 cubic inch V8 engine and featured a fastback roofline that became a hallmark of Mustang design.
1948 Tucker 48
Often simply known as the Tucker, the 1948 Tucker is one of the most legendary cars in American automotive history. Created by Preston Tucker, a rare vehicle worth approximately $3 million was discovered in an Ohio barn.
1948 Tucker 48 (Cont.)
Tucker's company faced financial difficulties, and only 51 units were produced before the company was shut down. Despite the small production run, the Tucker 48 has earned a legendary place in the automotive world, and the handful of cars that remain are incredibly valuable.
1969 Dodge Charger R/T
The 1969 Dodge Charger R/T was found in a junkyard in rural Missouri. This iconic muscle car has left an indelible mark on American car culture, thanks in part to its prominent role in movies like The Fast and the Furious franchise.
1969 Dodge Charger R/T (Cont.)
It was powered by a legendary 440-cubic-inch V8 engine and featured aggressive styling with a Coke bottle shape and a wide front end. It was built for performance and speed, which made it a favorite among car enthusiasts and collectors.
1959 Cadillac Eldorado Biarritz
While Cadillacs were known for their luxury and grandeur, the 1959 Cadillac Eldorado Biarritz is arguably one of the rarest. It's one of 1,320 units made and was famed for its extravagant tailfins and enormous size, which represented the automotive excess of the late 1950s.
1959 Cadillac Eldorado Biarritz (Cont.)
Once restored, a 1959 Cadillac Eldorado Biarritz can be sold for anything between $180,000 and $300,000. The design of the 1959 model, particularly its tailfins, has become an enduring symbol of 1950s Americana. It was a statement car, often seen as a status symbol among the elite.
1934 Packard 1101 Dietrich Convertible
As a rare and highly coveted classic from the Art Deco era, the 1934 Packard 1101 Dietrich Convertible shows elegance and style. Packard was one of the leading luxury car manufacturers in the early 20th century, and the 1101 series represents its finest engineering and design.
1934 Packard 1101 Dietrich Convertible (Cont.)
Only a limited number of 1101 Dietrich Convertible cars were produced, and many were lost due to rust or the ravages of time. Its elegant design, complete with sweeping fenders and exceptional grille, coupled with an 8-cylinder engine, made it a work of art and a highly capable road car.
1957 Chevrolet Bel Air Convertible
While many Bel Air models were produced, the convertible version is much rarer, especially in good condition. The popularity of these cars during the 1950s led many owners to modify or scrap their vehicles over time, which makes original examples hard to come by.
1957 Chevrolet Bel Air Convertible (Cont.)
A 1957 Chevrolet Bel Air Convertible was found in a junkyard in Arizona, an area known for housing rare vintage cars, particularly from the 1950s. This is one of the most popular cars of the 1950s, known for its distinctive tailfins and overall stylish design.
1957 BMW 503 Series I Cabriolet
Another European gem discovered in Rudi Klein's junkyard belongs to a rare collection of only 139 units produced. The 1957 BMW 503 Series I Cabriolet is an iconic post-war luxury car that helped reestablish BMW's reputation as a premier manufacturer of fine automobiles after WW2.
1957 BMW 503 Series I Cabriolet (Cont.)
Known for its chic design and smooth driving experience, the 503 Series I was aimed at wealthy customers seeking refinement and performance. It's powered by a 3.2-liter V8 engine, and the design was crafted by Albrecht von Goertz, who used elegant lines and a sleek convertible top.