BMW 507 Roadster

The BMW 507 is one of the finest examples of automotive design from the 1950s.

With the filling of this roadster, too, everything was excellent. On the technical side, the BMW 507 overtook many of its peers. For the first time, the Bavarian motor company challenged the pillar of the German car industry, Daimler-Benz AG.

Today, BMW and Mercedes-Benz are the alpha and omega of the German car industry, fiercely fighting for first place. Before World War II, things were different. Mercedes-Benz is the number one firm in Germany, and BMW was barely noticeable.

The war changed a lot. BMW wanted to compete for the sympathy of buyers with Mercedes. True, both one and the other firm were interested in buyers from overseas. The European consumer was not yet rich, but the Americans were ready to give their full dollars for a good product from the Old World.

Therefore, it is not surprising that the American BMW dealer Max Hoffman became the driving force behind the project. It was he who convinced the leadership of the Bavarian Motor Company of the need to release a sports car in defiance of the Mercedes 300 SL.

Hoffman, on the other hand, closely monitored the process of creating the BMW 507. It was at his request that the first designer of the 507, Ernst Loof, be changed to Albrecht von Goertz.

It took almost two years to develop the roadster. The BMW 507 was presented to the public in the summer of 1955. The venue for the presentation was New York, the Waldorf-Astoria Hotel. In technical terms, the roadster overtook many competitors.

Engine 507 V-shaped eight, displacement 3.2 liters (193 cu in), power 150 hp. The power unit was equipped with two Zenith 32 NDIX carburetors. The engine was made of aluminum. What set the 507 apart from the Mercedes 300 SL? A competitor's cylinder block was made of cast iron.

Photo: "BMW 507 Serie II Roadster (1959) (52858728359)" by Charles from Port Chester, New York

The chassis was pretty typical of a 1950s sports car. Front suspension is independent; rear suspension is dependent. Brakes: front disc, rear drum. A year after the start of mass production, the car received full disc brakes.

The BMW 507 was produced in two versions. The first series, in which 63 cars were produced, had a gas tank located immediately behind the rear seats, which caused the smell of gasoline to enter the cabin. This shortcoming was corrected by changing the shape of the gas tank and moving it back.

For cars in the second series, a removable hard top was offered as an option. Curious detail. Due to the limited production of the BMW 507, each hard top was tailored to a specific car. It was impossible to transfer this device from one roadster to another.

Commercial Flop

Despite the excellent design, the excellent technical component of the BMW 507 was met with a very cold reception on the market. Only 252 copies were sold. This is against the 3258 Mercedes 300 SL. The ratio is clearly not in favor of BMW.

The simplest explanation is that the 507 had a rather weak engine. Only 150 hp versus 215 for the Mercedes 300 SL. The 300 SL engine was equipped with injection, hence its superiority.

But why couldn't BMW spur on the 507 engine? No, they couldn't. The roadster cost, at that time, $10,000. And even at this price, each 507 brought a thousand dollars in losses. Additional upgrade costs further increase costs.

The second reason why Mercedes overtook BMW is the 300 SL's trail of motorsport victories. The roar of the engine on the tracks, accidents, and romance. BMW, with such romance, was still rather weak.

In the first round, Bavaria Motor lost. Daimler-Benz AG emerged victorious, although the victory in Stuttgart was hardly noticed. They still did not perceive BMW as a serious competitor. The real competition between these two German giants will intensify in the late 1960s.

Famous Owners

Although the BMW 507 is a small-scale car, it was owned by very famous personalities. Elvis Presley had two of these roadsters. Elvis bought them while serving in Germany. One roadster had a red body color, the other white.

Photo: "1957 BMW 507" by Dave Hamster

After the demobilization, Elvis took the cars to the USA. Both 507s lost their native engines. A Chevrolet V8 engine was installed on a white roadster and a Ford on a red one. There is nothing surprising here. A common solution among American owners of the BMW 507.

The German engine was difficult for American mechanics, hence the high cost of maintenance. Well, the American power unit was also more powerful. Red 507 Elvis gave Ursula Andress permission to participate in the filming of "Fun in Acapulco".

Besides Elvis and Ursula, the owner of one of these beauties was also Ursula's husband, John Derek, then Bernie Eccleston, as well as the legendary racer John Surtees, who owned his BMW 507 until his death.

The Restoration of Elvis' BMW 507

BMW 507 in Today's Market

The BMW 507 Roadster today still commands a high price. A recent sale in 2019 showed that a 507 Roadster in very good condition sold for over $2 million. Prices like this put the car in a league of rare and special classic automobiles. I'll just mention that the lowest price in the last five years was $1,400,000.

The 507 Roadster still holds appeal due to its beautiful design, iconic status, and stature as an automotive work of art. This car is special mainly because only a small group of people can afford to own and drive one.

If you're interested in purchasing a 507 Roadster, there are a few options available. You can buy one in-person through an auction house or other classic car dealers. Alternatively, there are many online options, such as eBay, where you can find a 507 Roadster for sale.

Whichever route you decide to take, it's important to make sure that you check the condition of the car and any documents that come with it. The potential for scamming is high with classic cars, so it’s important to research what you’re getting and to trust your gut.