Today The Car Spotter will be discussing the 1959 BMW 507 Series II that was sold on Saturday 16th January by Gooding and Company for a total price of $1,815,000, approximately £1,200,000.
Stunning BMW 507, picture courtesy of Top Gear
Front/side of BMW 507, picture courtesy of Top Gear
Originality is the main concern of buyers, sellers and owners when it comes to classic cars.
The car would have cost $8,988 when first built in Munich, Germany.
Only 252 BMW 507 roadsters were ever produced by BMW between 1959 and 1959, making it a very rare model. Initially the figure was intended to be thousands and BMW had to cease production due to the process being too expensive. The BMW 507 was initially unveiled with the BMW 503 at the 1955 Frankfurt Motor Show.
The estimated value with chassis number 70244 was between $1.8 and $2.2 million, seemingly the car was sold at the lower end of the estimated value.
Front view of BMW 507, picture courtesy of Top Gear
Side view of BMW 507, picture courtesy of Top Gear
The two-door BMW 507 has a 3.2L V8 engine which produces 160bhp. The power figures from a V8 engine may not be much however the charm of the car are the looks and the nostalgia surrounding the BMW roadster. Engine power efficiency in the 1950s was nowhere near today’s standards.
The immaculate white exterior body panels and classic BMW kidney grille alongside the sweeping lines of the car make it a beautiful example. This BMW 507 Series II has black leather and features white piping and a white steering wheel. The sale even includes a factory BMW hardtop.
Rear view of BMW 507, picture courtesy of Top Gear
Black interior with white details of BMW 507, picture courtesy of Top Gear
$50,000 worth of restoration was carried out on the BMW at Winning Makes in Santa Barbara, California in 2003, after a Californian male bought the car in 1999.
The seller bought the car in 2009 and sent it for servicing at Winning Makes, California again. The extensive servicing included the rebuild of the brakes, gearbox, cooling system and shock absorbers as well as crack testing and refurbishment of all suspension components.
BMW have stated the engine is the 160PS unit, potentially from a 3200 that has been stamped with the correct engine number.
The gearbox is a 4-speed manual and the car has an estimated 0-60mph time of 8.8 seconds and a top speed of 124.3mph (200km/h).
Specification:
1959 BMW 507 Series II roadster
0-60mph: 8.8 seconds
Top Speed: 124.3 mph (200 km/h)
Bhp: 160
Torque: 163 lb-ft (222Nm)
Engine: 3.2L V8
Transmission: 4-speed manual
Weight: 1,280 kg
Price: $1.8m – $2.2m (£1.19m – £1.45m)
Elvis Presley is said to have gifted his 1958 BMW 507 to bond girl Ursula Andress.
Personally I think this BMW 507 is a very aesthetically pleasing car. The immaculate and original BMW 507 features simple, elegant lines and stylish chrome features including side vents, light surround and grille plates. The car will be an excellent addition to a classic car collection and although it doesn’t have stacks of power, this is to be expected from a BMW almost 60 years old.
For more photos and details, click here to view the car in detail by the selling auction house Gooding and Company.
What are your thoughts on the BMW 507? Do you think it is a timeless classic? Would you have paid more or less than £1.2m?
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