2024-01-14 17:00:00
The story of the 507 began at the 1955 Frankfurt Motor Show when the young Munich brand presented an immaculate white car on its stand at the same time as a luxury 2+2: the 503.
It was a time when the propeller brand was searching for itself and trying to overcome the consequences of the Second World War and the partition of Germany into two entities.
BMW’s problem? Its industrial facilities are now located in East Germany.
Will to conquer
As the 501 and 502 sedans struggled to sell, BMW was tempted to manufacture the Italian Isetta under license. A decision that will blur its image.
At that time, Mercedes was considering the acquisition of a competitor like BMW. So, it’s a bit of a headlong rush to attract a growing market, that of luxury, and at the same time ensure the survival of the company.
A roadster for the USA
Max Hoffman, a powerful importer in the United States, will convince the BMW management to launch the roadster adventure. This is the man who persuaded Mercedes to sell the 300 SL and Porsche to release the 356 Speedster America.
For Hoffman, there is an opportunity for this brand that he has chosen to import between the 3,000 dollars of the Porsche and the 7,500 of the Mercedes… He goes so far as to predict sales in the USA of 1,000 cars per year.
A dream body
The first drawings are the work of Ernst Loof but they are not popular. Hoffman will insist on the choice of Albrecht von Goertz, a student of Raymond Loewy, who will sign a drawing of great purity.
The grille beans are stretched across the entire width of the body, which breaks with the classicism of the sedans.
The bodywork is made of aluminum, entirely made by hand. And for the interior, leather dresses the cabin, including the seats which are comfortable.
The dashboard is as elegant as the four-spoke steering wheel.
Neat mechanics
It is the chassis with spars and tubular cross-members of the 502 sedan, shortened by 35 cm, which will serve as the basis.
Under the hood, engineer Fritz Fiedler placed a brand new V8, all aluminum, like the 3.2 liter body and developing 150 horsepower for a top speed of 217 km/h.
For the running gear part, BMW relies on proven technology; at the front a triangulated arm suspension and at the rear a rigid axle with Panhard type bar.
Beautiful but expensive
Both axles are equipped with adjustable torsion bars. The 507 is equipped with 16-inch wheels with central throttle.
For braking, hydraulically assisted light alloy drums are used.
Ideal presentation, but…
Before the Frankfurt Motor Show, the 507 was unveiled in New York at the Waldorf Astoria, its main market. The press is laudatory enough for one newspaper to write that BMW is overtaking the Italians in the premium sports car category.
After the presentation in Frankfurt, production will begin in 1956. This is where everything goes wrong. In the United States, the selling price is announced at $10,000, compared to the Mercedes 300 SL and its $7,500; in Germany it will be 26,500 Deutsche Mark (the annual salary was around 5,000 DM).
Until March 1957, 43 units of the BMW 507 were sold…
Series 2 until 1959
From the spring of 1957, the Series 2 brought forward some modifications such as the fuel flap installed on the right rear wing, a larger glove box and a new dashboard with a speaker integrated in the center.
Many personalities bought one: Alain Delon, John Surtees and Elvis Presley who took possession of it during his military service in Germany.
Problem for BMW, each car is produced at a loss. Due to significant investments in the engine and bodywork, the brand stopped manufacturing following 252 examples, before going bankrupt.
A 507 is now worth more than 2 million euros.
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