The world-renowned Gullwing, once owned by diplomat, racer, pilot, polo champion, and alleged assassin Porfirio Rubirosa, will be one of the star attractions at the upcoming Concours of Elegance Germany. Rubirosa, who is said to have inspired Ian Fleming’s iconic character, James Bond, owned the car during a life as glamorous and enigmatic as the fictional spy.
This extraordinary vehicle and its infamous owner were intertwined with the lives of global superstars such as Marilyn Monroe and Zsa Zsa Gabor. The inaugural Concours of Elegance Germany, presented by A. Lange & Söhne, will commence at Lake Tegernsee on 22 July, with public viewing days on 26 and 27 July. This event promises to bring together the world’s rarest cars and their owners in the picturesque Bavarian Alps.
Organized by the prestigious team behind the Concours of Elegance at Hampton Court Palace and the London Concours, this event will feature 200 historic vehicles gathered at Gut Kaltenbrunn, situated at the head of Lake Tegernsee, just a 40-minute drive from Munich.
Tegernsee, Germany – 12 June 2024: Among the many illustrious cars set to be showcased this July, the latest entry stands out for its remarkable history. Entered by HK-Engineering, renowned 300 SL restoration specialists, the ‘Rubirosa’ Gullwing is a car with a captivating story.
The 87th 300 SL ever built was acquired by Porfirio Rubirosa in 1955 from Wiesbaden and brought to his home in Paris. Rubirosa, believed by many to be the inspiration for James Bond, owned the car until his untimely death in 1965. Over the years, the 300 SL changed ownership five times until it was purchased by HK-Engineering’s founder, Hans Kleissl, in 2000.
HK-Engineering will display the Rubirosa alongside their other acclaimed 300 SL restorations at the Concours of Elegance Germany. This particular car is noted for its highly original character, with the interior, rim paints, and chrome features remaining untouched since 1955. While the car was repainted by a subsequent owner, HK-Engineering has restored its original matte silver color, bringing it as close to its original state as possible.
Rubirosa’s life was as dramatic as a Fleming novel. Born in the Dominican Republic in 1909, he demonstrated an early talent for polo, which led him to the inner circle of the dictatorial Dominican president Rafael Trujillo. Through his association with Trujillo, Rubirosa rose through the ranks of the diplomatic service, serving in embassies from Berlin to Buenos Aires and Rome to Havana. Along the way, he married five times, courted numerous movie stars, models, and heiresses, and amassed a fortune through divorce settlements and alimonies. He continued to serve as a close confidant to President Trujillo, navigating and surviving various criminal charges and prison sentences throughout the 1940s and 50s.
Rubirosa met his end in Paris in 1965, with his passions for fast cars and polo still burning brightly. After celebrating a victory at the Polo Coupe de France late into the night on 4 July, he embarked on an early morning drive in his Ferrari 250 GT Cabriolet, tragically crashing into a tree and dying on impact.
The Concours of Elegance Germany extends its gratitude to HK-Engineering for showcasing this exceptional 300 SL at the Lake Tegernsee event in July, fresh from another successful completion of the Mille Miglia. This year marks the 70th anniversary of this iconic German sports car, and the Rubirosa Gullwing will undoubtedly be a highlight of the event.
For further details and tickets, visit www.concoursofelegancegermany.com – where every car tells a story.
