That junkyard in LA--the stuff of dreams | FerrariChat
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That junkyard in LA--the stuff of dreams

Discussion in 'Vintage (thru 365 GTC4)' started by bitzman, Apr 9, 2013.

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  1. bitzman

    bitzman F1 Rookie
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    #1 bitzman, Apr 9, 2013
    Ever since I came to LA in 1965 I have heard stories about this junkyard (I think it is on Atlantic?) that has a treasure trove of cars.
    I went there once and I think I saw some Bentleys jumping up to see over the fence but couldn't get very far into the place because of a large dog. I thought of going back with a bigger dog (what tops a German shepherd) but anyway recently read that they have an old pre-war Mercedes that is worth $10-11 million. The shop was run by a German immigrant, who died and is now reportedly run by his son(s). They once had a fellow German in Manhattan Beach who sold some of their cars in a showroom, the German cars, but gave up his business when robbed at gunpoint. I am not sure of the Italian cars there but one is the Iso Grifo convertible, the only one made. I think they may have a Bizzarrini. They are averse to publicity locally yet foreign journalists, such as French and German, have apparently done stories on them and you see in the pictures rows of gullwings, 356 Porsches, 904s, etc. These folks don't seem to worry about "bubbles" they just buy steadily and sell rarely. I was wondering what Ferraris they are rumored to have and if anyone has dealt with them without having their posterior perforated by the Shepherd.
     
  2. rob lay

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    #2 rob lay, Apr 9, 2013
    interesting, please post articles and pictures!
     
  3. barchetta

    barchetta Formula Junior

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    #3 barchetta, Apr 9, 2013
  4. Ed Niles

    Ed Niles Formula 3
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    #4 Ed Niles, Apr 9, 2013
    Pretty accurate story, at least as it relates to Rudi. S/N chasers will know that when I finished parting out 0647GT, Rudi bought the remaining chassis and assorted suspension bits, which (Thank you, Rudi) went to the Netherlands where it has become a car again. Rudi started in the back of a service station and ended up with a huge wrecking yard, where the sales of Porsche parts supported his love of buying exotic cars, most in derelict condition. Lots of 300SL's, etc. I don't know his sons, but wish I did.
     
  5. tritone

    tritone F1 Veteran
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    #5 tritone, Apr 9, 2013
    It must be truly "not for sale at any price" given that there are more than a couple of guys around for whom the purchase price is of small consequence....

    A great story; the gear heads elixir!
     
  6. TooTall

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    #6 TooTall, Apr 9, 2013
    I met Rudi Klein once at the PV Concours. He showed up with a one-off NSU Ro80 that was completely original. Interesting guy.

    Cheers,
    Kurt O.
     
  7. 356hunter

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    #7 356hunter, Apr 9, 2013
    You can find Ben Klein on Ebay by the name of porforauto . or Porfor
     
  8. rob lay

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    #8 rob lay, Apr 10, 2013
    you can see some background pics of car stacks, but I would love to see more pics!
     
  9. epdowd

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    #9 epdowd, Apr 10, 2013
    Last edited by a moderator: Sep 7, 2017
  10. LamboRider

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    #10 LamboRider, Apr 10, 2013
    A close friend of Vasek Polak



    Here it is:
    http://www.porfor.com/gallery3/Sold-Inventory
     
  11. 3500 GT

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    #11 3500 GT, Apr 10, 2013
    I bought a car from him once.
     
  12. Ed Niles

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    #12 Ed Niles, Apr 10, 2013
    Nice overhead shot. Rudi kept his treasures in the building with the skylights, if I recall correctly.
     
  13. velocetwo

    velocetwo F1 World Champ

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    #13 velocetwo, Apr 11, 2013
    Posers need not apply would be the motto. Yea they have some good stuff like Grifo 002, but the doors are closed to most. These guys deal in hard cash and don't want to hear about the BS that most come knocking with.
     
  14. velocetwo

    velocetwo F1 World Champ

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    #14 velocetwo, Apr 11, 2013
    True the good stuff is off site
     
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  15. NürScud

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    #15 NürScud, Apr 13, 2013
    They have nice 356s in reasonable prices..
     
  16. open roads

    open roads F1 Rookie

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    #16 open roads, Apr 13, 2013
    Good story. I emailed them to see if they have Boxer parts. Thanks.
     
  17. Johnny Prezemullo

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    #17 Johnny Prezemullo, May 18, 2015
    Rudi Klein sold 300 SL Gullwing Chassis-Nr. 198 040 55 00 775 in or around 1993 to Germany.

    Does anybody know the history of this particular Gullwing and its further fate ?

    Regards
    Johnny
     
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  18. Ryan S.

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    #18 Ryan S., Aug 14, 2024
    imahorse, Texas Forever, readplays and 1 other person like this.
  19. TheMayor

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    #19 TheMayor, Aug 14, 2024
    When I had my shop there was one Junkyard in or near Inglewood that specialized in Italian cars, most of them Fiat 124's, Maserati Bi-turbos, and some Alfa's. Later Fiat 124's had chronic problem breaking the Dif gears. I bought a lot of Dif's out of that lot until they ran out of them.
     
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  20. 375+

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  21. Timmmmmmmmmmy

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    #21 Timmmmmmmmmmy, Aug 15, 2024
    The ex Caracciola/ Mussolini/ Klein 500K Coupe is one of my top 10 cars EVER made
     
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  22. Ferrari 360 CS

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    #22 Ferrari 360 CS, Aug 15, 2024
    Agree, spectacular lookin car! Amazing collection of cars in probably the most famous 'junk yard'
     
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  23. stevenwk

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    #23 stevenwk, Aug 15, 2024
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  24. rob lay

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    #24 rob lay, Aug 15, 2024
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  25. Texas Forever

    Texas Forever Eight Time F1 World Champ
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    #25 Texas Forever, Aug 15, 2024
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