A DRIVER has found an extremely rare old car that was left in a bar for several decades.
Jay Leno has explained why this vintage ride is worth nearly $10 million in a viral YouTube video.
The owner of a rare Mercedes Gullwing abandoned the car for 60 years[/caption]
Out of the 29 ever made, this is only one that hasn’t been restored[/caption]
The owner paid $30,000 for the car decades ago[/caption]
The owner, Rudy Klein, had the car sitting covered in a barn in Los Angeles, California.
The video, which has garnered nearly 1.7 million views, was posted to Jay Leno’s YouTube channel with over 3.8 million subscribers.
The video, titled “$10 Million Barnfind: Jay Leno Reveals the Rarest Mercedes Gullwing Ever Discovered,” details viewers about a “once-in-a-lifetime” discovery in automotive history.
“This is what buried treasure looks like in 2025. Jay Leno uncovers one of the most extraordinary automotive discoveries in recent history — a 1956 Mercedes-Benz Alloy Gullwing, one of just 29 ever made, and the only unrestored survivor,” the video caption reads.
“Hidden away in a Los Angeles storage garage for nearly 60 years, this ultra-rare, all-aluminum Gullwing was once forgotten — until now.
“Jay walks us through the incredible backstory, the preservation details, and why this hand-built piece of Mercedes racing history sold for nearly $10 million. This isn’t just a car — it’s a time capsule,” it continues.
Leno calls it a competition car, meaning it had a lightweight aluminum body with an especially powerful engine.
“It’s exactly as it’s been for 60 years,” he told viewers.
Leno said the owner spotted the vintage ride during the 1970s and paid $30,000 for it on the spot.
He said that although there are more cars of this model, this is the only one that has been left unrestored.
Leno also pointed out that this car has Rudge wheels, which are a highly desirable and iconic feature, particularly for collectors.
They are center-mounted knock-off wheels, meaning the hubcap is attached to the wheel itself and secured by a knock-off mechanism.
Rudge wheels were a factory-fitted option on the 300SL Gullwing, and their presence significantly increases the value of a car.
“The dash and upholstery are in remarkable condition,” he said.
The largest car graveyard is in the US
Junkyards filled to the brim with old cars are all over the US.
However, some are bigger than others. The largest in the world is in Georgia called Old Car City.
Sitting on 34 acres, the site is home to over 4,000 classic cars, vans, trucks, and buses from America and Europe.
The yard is more than just rusted cars, though. The main building has another time capsule for the early 20th century and beyond, with vintage toys and other automotive memorabilia collections.
The property has since become a museum where people can peruse the symbols of a treasured American era for $34. Weddings, parties, and corporate events can be held there, too.
Source: Old Car City U.S.A.
Several users in the comments section were amazed to see the vintage ride.
“This car is nearly 70 years old, yet it’s still one of the most beautiful stylings ever drawn by man,” one viewer wrote. “Thanks for the tour Jay.”
“Car full of dirt and still absolutely stunning and beautiful…” echoed another.
“It is really a piece of art. Thank you Jay, immediately one of my favorite episodes.”
A retired automobile restoration technician was thrilled to see the model — the same one he worked on decades ago.
“During my 52 years of restoration I was blessed enough to restore two of these rare all aluminium 300 SL Mercedes Benz’s at two different shops,” he commented.
“Exciting if you are starting a restoration! But you are right, it’s a great specimen to keep it the way it is.”
