This July, among the many remarkable cars set to be showcased at Lake Tegernsee, one entry stands out with true superstar appeal.Submitted by the renowned German engineering firm and award-winning 300 SL restoration experts, HK-Engineering, the ‘Rubirosa’ Gullwing is a car steeped in history.
As the 87th 300 SL ever built, this vehicle was purchased in 1955 by Porfirio Rubirosa, an international man of mystery, from Wiesbaden. The car was then transported to his home in Paris. Rubirosa, believed by many to be Ian Fleming’s inspiration for James Bond, owned the car until his death in 1965. Over the subsequent years, the 300 SL changed hands five times until it was acquired in 2000 by Hans Kleissl, the founder of HK-Engineering.
HK-Engineering will present the Rubirosa along with other notable 300 SL restorations at the Concours of Elegance Germany. This particular car is distinguished by its highly original character, with the interior, rim paints, and chrome features remaining untouched since 1955. Although a later owner repainted the car, HK-Engineering restored the original matte silver color, bringing it as close to its initial state as possible. Rubirosa’s life story is as captivating as a Fleming novel. Born in the Dominican Republic in 1909, Rubirosa excelled in polo, the sport of kings. His skill in the sport led him to meet the Dominican president, Rafael Trujillo, who recruited him into the Presidential Guard.
Rubirosa quickly ascended through the diplomatic ranks, serving in embassies from Berlin to Buenos Aires, Rome to Havana. Along the way, he married five times and romanced numerous movie stars, models, and heiresses, amassing a fortune through divorce settlements and alimonies. He remained a close confidant and international operative for President Trujillo, skillfully avoiding various criminal charges and prison sentences throughout the 1940s and 50s. Rubirosa met his end in Paris in 1965. After celebrating a victory at the Polo Coupe de France on the night of July 4th, he took an early morning drive in his Ferrari 250 GT cabriolet, crashed into a tree, and died on impact.
The Concours of Elegance Germany extends its gratitude to HK-Engineering for bringing this extraordinary 300 SL to the Lake Tegernsee event in July, fresh from another successful completion of the Mille Miglia. This presentation also marks the 70th anniversary of this iconic German sports car.