Chassis No. 69359

Engine No. 30557

Debuted at the 1955 Frankfurt Motor Show, the BMW 503 Coupe represented the company's bold ambition to reestablish itself in the postwar luxury market. Engineered to uncompromising standards and styled by Count Albrecht von Goertz, the 503 was BMW's first purpose-built grand touring coupe, offered alongside the 507 Roadster. Beneath its hand-formed aluminum bodywork lay an all-alloy 3.2-liter V8 producing 140 horsepower, paired with a sophisticated perimeter frame and refined mechanicals derived from the 502. Though built with U.S. buyers in mind-encouraged by influential importer Max Hoffman-the 503's high price limited its success overseas. Still, its elegant design, advanced engineering, and opulent interior earned it a loyal following among European elites. Just 273 coupes were produced before the model was discontinued in March 1959. Today, the BMW 503 stands as one of the marque's rarest and most distinctive postwar models, a beautifully crafted expression of 1950s grand touring excellence.

The accompanying history file shows that this handsome 503 Coupe was sold new to Dr. Elsbeth Karius of Muggensturm/Rastatt, Germany, toward the very end of production on 27 February 1959 and remained under his care for the following 14 years. The car then passed to Stefan Stahle in 1973, and then Ulrich Vetter of Kreutzal, Germany, for the next 24 years. In 2002, the car passed through three more German owners before residing in the United Kingdom. From there, the car was imported to the United States in 2024 with under the care of its current owner based in the United Kingdom.

Presented in period-appropriate ivory, the rare postwar Coupe features an original and beautifully patinaed cognac-colored leather interior. Adding to the airiness of the pillarless Coupe is a rarely seen metal sliding sunroof that perfectly complements the elegant interior with its Becker Mexico radio and iconic ivory four-spoke steering wheel. Powering the car is a correct type all-aluminum 3.2-liter V8 mated to a sporting five-speed manual transmission. Seldom seen in the U.S., well-presented and detailed examples, like the car offered here, offer a compelling blend of German engineering, handsome styling, and impressive power, making it a rare opportunity to experience one of BMW's most significant and beautifully crafted postwar grand tourers.

Please note that this lot is being sold on non-US ownership documents, so obtaining US title will take additional processing time.