Archived · Classic Cars · 2 min read
BMW 507
The BMW 507 was arguably one of the most beautiful cars of the 1950's. Built to add a glamour car to increase American sales as well as well as boost…
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Historical article recovered from a Wayback capture dated 2006-08-23.
The BMW 507 was arguably one of the most beautiful cars of the 1950’s. Built to add a glamour car to increase American sales as well as well as boost their flagging post war image, BMW used Albrecht Goertz to design their new sportscar. The result was an elegant, slim roadster complete with long bonnet, pert tail and impeccable detail.
It produced 150 bhp from its high compression 4-speed V8 engine and could handle 0 - 96 kph in around 9 seconds. Torsion bar suspension in both front and rear gave a supple and confident ride and its good-looking factory hardtop made this car snug and roomy. Meticulously built in alloy, the 507 of 1955 was aimed directly at the Mercedes 300SL market and like the 300SL it was very expensive.
But its saloon-derived steering was perceived as not its best feature which probably accounted for a short and unimpressive competition history. It also took an inordinate amount of time to assemble as most was done manually. Amongst the positives of this car were its power - 160 bhp and its lateral front disc brakes. But production stopped in 1959 after only 253 cars were built. Today it is still seen as probably the most collectable of all post-war BMW’s.
Also see: BMW Heritage
