Rudolf Caracciola, the name synonymous with fearless racing prowess and nicknamed the “Rain Master” (Regenmeister), ascended to motorsport legend not through privilege, but through sheer talent and relentless drive. From humble beginnings as a Daimler apprentice to a celebrated Mercedes-Benz factory driver, Caracciola’s journey epitomized the golden age of early motorsport heroes. His defining moment arrived at the inaugural German Grand Prix in 1926, where amidst torrential rain and treacherous conditions, Caracciola’s unwavering nerve secured a victory that birthed a legend. Driving a Mercedes-Benz, he navigated the perilous track while competitors succumbed to crashes and worse, earning his immortal moniker and a permanent place in racing history.
By the mid-1930s, Caracciola’s star shone brightly as the linchpin of Mercedes-Benz’s formidable Formula 1 team, a position mirroring the contemporary stature of icons like Lewis Hamilton. Piloting the fabled “Silver Arrows,” he amassed an unparalleled six German Grand Prix wins – a record that endures today – alongside three European Driving Championships and three European Hillclimb Championships. In a breathtaking display of skill and machine mastery, Caracciola clocked an astounding 268.9 mph on the autobahn in January 1938, driving a W125. This remains the highest speed ever officially recorded on a public road, a testament to the “Rain Master’s” extraordinary abilities, even 86 years later.
Alt text: Rudolf Caracciola, legendary “Rain Master” race car driver, poses proudly with his unique Mercedes-Benz 500K alongside Alfred Neubauer, Mercedes-Benz Grand Prix team manager, at Bremerhaven before sailing to America for the Vanderbilt Cup race.
It’s no surprise then that Mercedes-Benz, recognizing Caracciola’s immense value and prestige, commissioned a truly exceptional automobile for him. This wasn’t just any car; it was a bespoke creation built upon their most advanced supercharged chassis of the era: the Mercedes-Benz 500K. The original build sheet, a fascinating piece of automotive history itself, designates the body style as a Roadster-Limousine. However, renowned Mercedes-Benz historian Jan Melin, in his definitive work “Mercedes-Benz 8: The Supercharged 8-Cylinder Cars of the 1930s,” aptly refers to it as a “Special Coupe,” a designation that captures its unique character. Melin’s comprehensive volumes feature period photographs that showcase the car in its original splendor.
The design of this extraordinary Mercedes-Benz 500K was reportedly tailored to Caracciola’s specific needs and preferences. The slightly elevated roofline and windshield were crafted to comfortably accommodate the tall stature of the racing legend. This custom bodywork gracefully flowed from an exceptionally long and striking hood, while the fenders and overall design remained uncluttered by spare tires. Instead, the spare tire was elegantly integrated at the rear, positioned at the culmination of bold chrome accents that streamlined along the car’s profile and tapered beautifully into the curve of the decklid. The Mercedes-Benz 500K exuded power and performance; its silhouette resembled a racing car with a refined roof, a design ethos that perfectly aligned with its intended purpose. Mercedes-Benz envisioned this magnificent automobile as Caracciola’s personal transport, a statement piece to be driven across Europe to various prestigious events. As such, it was thoughtfully designed with comfortable seating for two passengers and a custom luggage set nestled behind the seats – ideal for stylish weekend excursions to iconic racing venues like Reims or Monza.
Significantly, the original build sheet explicitly names R. Caracciola as the initial recipient, delivered through the Mercedes-Benz dealership in Paris. Historical photographs capture Caracciola proudly posing with his custom 500K alongside Alfred Neubauer, the esteemed manager of the Mercedes-Benz Grand Prix team, in Bremerhaven. This momentous occasion marked their departure for America and the prestigious George Vanderbilt Cup race. Further solidifying its celebrity status, the Caracciola 500K is documented to have featured in at least one Mercedes-Benz advertisement during its era, confirming its role as a star, much like its celebrated driver.
Alt text: Front three-quarter view of the meticulously restored Mercedes-Benz 500K showcasing its iconic pre-war design, long hood, and elegant lines, emblems of classic automotive luxury and performance.
REDISCOVERY AND METICULOUS RESTORATION
The history of Caracciola’s Mercedes-Benz 500K takes an intriguing turn after its initial ownership. It is believed that Caracciola retained the car until the late 1930s before it was resold via the same Paris dealership. An intriguing, though unverified, anecdote suggests that its subsequent owner was Galeazzo Ciano, the Italian foreign minister. This theory is supported by the replacement of the original “D” (Germany) on the rear fender with an “I” for Italy, although concrete documentation remains elusive. Adding to the car’s mystique, Tom Hanson, son of the eventual restorer Dale Hanson, recounted to Car and Driver in 2012 the improbable tale of the 500K resurfacing in Ethiopia. According to Hanson’s account, the car was discovered concealed beneath tarpaulins and remarkably hidden within a manure pile.
In the early 1960s, Dr. Milton Roth, a Long Beach dentist renowned within early Bugatti enthusiast circles (“Bugattiste”), reportedly acquired the Mercedes-Benz 500K from its unusual Ethiopian hiding place. Tragically, Dr. Roth passed away in the fall of 1963, shortly after the Mercedes-Benz arrived in his possession. The 500K then transitioned through a couple of short-term owners in Southern California before finding its way to Matthew L. “Bill” Post, a prominent car aficionado and co-founder, alongside Bud Cohn, of the esteemed Le Cercle Concours, once regarded as the pinnacle of vintage automobile events in the region. Post entrusted the 500K to restorer Dale Hanson, who embarked on a comprehensive 16-month restoration project. Hanson meticulously revived the car to its original glory, carefully matching the original maroon exterior finish and sumptuous leather interior based on traces of original materials discovered within the vehicle.
Upon completion of its painstaking restoration, the Mercedes-Benz 500K graced the prestigious 1966 Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance. It achieved an impressive Second in Class, only surpassed by the monumental Bill Harrah Bugatti Type 41 Royale, which ultimately claimed the coveted Best of Show award that year. For the subsequent 13 years, the 500K became a familiar and admired participant in concours events across the West Coast. Ironically, considering its later secluded existence, it became one of the most recognizable and frequently seen supercharged Mercedes-Benz models of its time.
Alt text: Close-up showcasing the Mercedes-Benz 500K’s luxurious maroon leather interior, highlighting the meticulously restored seats and classic design elements, reflecting the opulence of pre-war automotive craftsmanship.
SECLUDED FOR DECADES: BEHIND THE JUNKYARD GATE
In March 1979, Rudi Klein orchestrated the acquisition of the Mercedes-Benz 500K from Jim Packer. Numerous “stories” surround this transaction and the car’s subsequent fate. Legends circulated about the freshly acquired, highly valuable classic malfunctioning at a Mercedes-Benz event on Fashion Island, leading to its immediate “banishment” to Klein’s junkyard. While the car did participate in at least one show – photographs depict it displayed alongside Klein’s Horch 853 on a concours lawn – Jason Klein, Rudi’s son, dispels the tales of mechanical failure and punitive exile. According to Jason, Rudi’s actions were consistent with his characteristic approach to collecting: he purchased the car, enjoyed it briefly, and then, as was his habit, simply stored it away with his other prized possessions. And so, the Caracciola 500K vanished from public view.
For an astonishing 44 years, the Pebble Beach-honored Mercedes-Benz 500K remained concealed within Rudi Klein’s sprawling junkyard, shrouded under protective covers alongside his eclectic collection in a large tin-roofed shed. Even those granted entry through the junkyard gates, navigating the labyrinthine corridors of spare Mercedes and Porsche engines to procure parts from Klein’s vast inventory, understood that inquiries about the shed’s contents were unwelcome. Reporters from esteemed publications like Vanity Fair were politely but firmly denied access. Even renowned and influential collectors learned not to inquire. One particularly determined collector reportedly presented Rudi Klein with a blank check, an open offer to name his price for the car. The check remained uncashed, a testament to Klein’s unwavering resolve.
Following Rudi Klein’s passing in 2001, his wife and sons continued his tradition, consistently declining all requests to view the hidden Mercedes-Benz 500K. It was only for the exclusive photography session for a recent catalog that the Caracciola 500K was finally unveiled, brought into daylight, and revealed to the world once more. Close inspection reveals minor imperfections: a few dings and scratches, areas where Dale Hanson’s now 60-year-old paint is showing its age, and chrome that has dulled with the passage of time. However, the car remains remarkably solid and remarkably complete. The interior upholstery, while requiring a thorough cleaning, is still taut, crisp, and remarkably fresh – a poignant reminder of its near-new condition when it was placed into storage decades ago. This interior serves as a powerful echo of the car’s former glory as a concours king in California, a title it is now poised to reclaim.
Undeniably, the Rudolf Caracciola Mercedes-Benz 500K stands as the most coveted Classic Era Mercedes-Benz to emerge in the last half-century. The “Rain Master’s” personal 500K is now ready for its highly anticipated resurgence into the spotlight, prepared to captivate a new generation of automotive enthusiasts and collectors.
