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 method 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, desirous to get a foothold within the booming U.S. market, got down to create its personal contender. It was none apart 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 actually aged gracefully and has stood the take a look at 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 type rivaled Italy’s most interesting on the time, however with a splash of German restraint. Beneath 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 automobile.

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 carried out away with in 12 seconds, and the highest pace was 125 mph. Onboard, issues had been easy: a decent cabin with clear traces, leather-based seats, 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 automobiles, later fashions had been upgraded with entrance discs. At only a shy beneath 3,000 kilos, this was not a light-weight automobile even for its day, however the balanced chassis and the nice appears to be like greater than made up for it.

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

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

BMW 507: Value & Collectibility 

Though the 507 practically put BMW out of enterprise again within the day, it helped redefine the corporate’s future. Its clear traces, elegant front-engine rear-drive proportions, and grand touring spirit can be embraced by roadster fashions a long time 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 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 method of an open-top two-seater sports activities automobile. The large kidney grille on the most recent Z4 harkens again to the 507.

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 automobile royalty. Provided that solely 252 examples had been produced (11 with detachable hardtops), with even fewer in authentic situation, BMW 507s command anyplace between $2-$5 million. Whereas most 507s stay in museums or collections, a handful are repeatedly used throughout classic rallies. duPont REGISTRY presently has not one, however two BMW 507s listed on the market, presenting a wonderful alternative to accumulate one of many world’s most stunning roadsters. 

Matching quantity automobiles, 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 automobiles with smaller trunks and less complicated dashboards are sometimes categorized as Collection I fashions, whereas up to date automobiles that got here later are categorised 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 celeb cachet and class, it was fairly widespread in comparison with the 507. The Jaguar XKSS, rarer and extra unique, was owned by the likes of Steve McQueen and is basically a repurposed Le Mans racer. The 507 fell someplace in between, elegant and sporty. However past every little thing else mentioned, the Elvis Presley possession and subsequent restoration by BMW Basic garnered world consideration, and provides provenance as soon as once more, placing the highlight on the 507.

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 in the present day, a lot of which have been restored and are within the fingers 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 one of the crucial 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 an alternative, BMW Group Basic has showcased it as a heritage automobile, making the market worth speculative.

4. How uncommon is the BMW 507?

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