How This BMW Went From Daring Gamble To Blue-Chip Basic

Again within the mid-to-late Nineteen Fifties, when tailfins had been all the trend in America, one other fashionable format was proving to be immensely profitable for automakers. The open-top V8 roadster. From the Thunderbird to the C1 Corvette, this was a formulation that delivered thrill and status in equal measure. Even European automakers had been using this wave and cashing in with fashions just like the Porsche 356 and Mercedes’ 300 SL roadster. BMW, desperate to get a foothold within the booming U.S. market, got down to create its personal contender. It was none aside from Max Hoffman, the distinguished importer from New York, who planted the seed, urging BMW to create a aggressive mannequin that would tackle the competitors. The outcome was the 507, Bavaria’s reply to the roadster wars.

BMW 507: A V8 Roadster With a Mission

BMW roped in Rely Albrecht von Goertz to design the 507, and what he delivered was a form that has definitely aged gracefully and stood the check of time. Making its debut in 1955, the 507 featured an extended hood and a brief deck lid.  Wrapped in hand-formed aluminium, the general form and curvaceous kind rivaled Italy’s most interesting on the time, however with a splash of German restraint. Below the pores and skin was a shortened model of BMW’s 503 chassis, and using on a 98-inch wheelbase, it made for a reasonably compact sports activities automotive.

Powering the 507 was BMW’s first-ever manufacturing V8: a 3.2-liter overhead valve (OHV) unit that additionally featured within the 503, however tuned for extra punch. With a warmer cam, polished combustion chambers, twin carburetors, and a revised ignition system, output climbed to 150 horsepower. All 507s had been paired with a 4-speed handbook transmission. 60 mph was achieved away with in 12 seconds, and the highest pace was 125 mph. Onboard, issues had been easy: a good cabin with clear strains, leather-based, and clear gauges. 

BMW 507 Specs

The suspension was simple: double wishbones with sway bar upfront and a stay rear axle and torsion bar setup in again. Whereas drum brakes had been provided as customary on early vehicles, later fashions had been upgraded with entrance discs. At only a shy underneath 3,000 kilos, this was not a lightweight automotive even for its day, however the balanced chassis and the great seems to be greater than made up for it.

Max Hoffman had hoped for a $5,000 value level, however low demand and ballooning manufacturing prices owing to that labor-intensive bodywork finally pushed the ultimate retail value to nicely north of $10,000. This made the 507 simply as costly because the 300 SL and a tough promote. Even movie star homeowners like Elvis Presley and Prince Ranier of Monaco couldn’t save the 507. 

BMW reportedly misplaced cash on each automotive it made, and the place Hoffman initially envisioned 1000’s could be bought, however that sadly by no means occurred. The 507’s failure was one in all a number of monetary challenges that nearly pushed BMW to the brink. The success of the quirky Isetta microcar and a few strategic monetary interventions stored the lights on within the manufacturing facility.

BMW 507: Worth & Collectibility 

Though the 507 practically put BMW out of enterprise, it helped redefine the corporate’s future. Its clear strains, elegant front-engine rear-drive proportions, and grand touring spirit could be embraced by roadster fashions many years later. 

The compact and playful 1996 BMW Z3’s lengthy hood and quick decklid drew inspiration from the 507. The BMW Z8, designed by Henrik Fisker and powered by an M5-derived V8 took took issues a step additional with a cleaner aesthetic and aluminium house body. The BMW Z4, which adopted in 2002 and continues to be in manufacturing, has spanned three generations and follows the identical tried and examined formulation of an open-seat two-seater sports activities automotive. The vast kidney grille on the most recent Z4 harkens again to the 507.

Then, the 507 has left an indelible mark in automotive historical past, and after being ignored for many years, the 507 has now ascended to collector automotive royalty. Provided that solely 252 examples had been produced, with even fewer in authentic situation, authentic BMW 507s command anyplace between $2-$5 million. Whereas most 507s stay in museums or collections, a handful are usually used throughout classic rallies. duPont REGISTRY presently has not one, however two BMW 507s listed on the market, presenting a superb alternative to amass one of many world’s most lovely roadsters. 

Matching quantity vehicles, rudge wheels, manufacturing facility arduous tops, and unrestored cabins add important worth. Automobiles restored by the likes of specialists like Kienle or Brummer command a premium. Early vehicles with smaller trunks and less complicated dashboards are sometimes categorized as Collection I fashions, whereas up to date vehicles that got here later are categorized as Collection II. BMW previously didn’t distinguish between the 2.

Comparable Nineteen Fifties Grand Touring Roadsters

Mercedes-Benz 300 SL Roadster
Manufacturing Years: 1957–1963
Manufacturing Numbers: 1858
Common Market Worth (Previous 5 Years): $1.4M

Jaguar XKSS
Manufacturing Years: 1957
Manufacturing Numbers: 16
Common Market Worth (Previous 5 Years): $ 2.2 M+

The place the 300 SL provided related ranges of movie star cachet and class, it was fairly widespread in comparison with the 507. The XKSS, rarer and extra unique, was owned by the likes of Steve McQueen, and is actually a repurposed Le Mans automotive. The 507 fell someplace in-between, elegant and sporty. 

Picture Supply: BMW Group Basic

FAQs

1. How Many BMW 507s are left?

A. Of the 252 examples constructed, round 200 are believed to outlive at present, a lot of which have been restored and are within the palms of collectors.

2. Why is the BMW 507 so costly?

A. The 507’s excessive worth is because of its rarity, aluminium physique, timeless styling, and affiliation with Elvis Presley, making it probably the most coveted post-war European roadsters.

3. How a lot did the Elvis BMW 507 promote for?

A. Elvis Presley’s totally restored BMW 507 didn’t go to public sale. As a substitute, BMW Group Basic has showcased it as a heritage automotive, making the market worth speculative.

4. How uncommon is the BMW 507?

A. The BMW 507 could be very uncommon. Solely 252 items had been constructed throughout its three-year manufacturing run between 1956 and 1959.