1957 BMW 507 Series I Roadster with Factory Hardtop
Chassis no. 70019
Engine no. 30429-40028

During the 1950s, car designers on both sides of the Atlantic produced some of the all-time greats of automotive styling, none of them more classically beautiful than the sublime BMW 507. Indeed, a measure of the 507's iconic significance may be discerned from BMW's 're-introduction' of the model, after a gap of 40 years, in the form of the Z8 roadster. In an age when it has become de rigeur for heritage-conscious motor manufacturers to incorporate styling cues from landmark models into their latest offerings, few have ventured as far as BMW in paying homage to a recognised classic.

Transatlantic in inspiration - aimed at the United States market, styled by a New York-domiciled German ex-patriot and built in Germany - the 507 reflected North American taste yet was unmistakably European in origin. The 507 saga began in 1954, when Austrian-born entrepreneur Max Hoffman, at that time the US importer of various European makes, convinced BMW that if they built a sports car to rival Mercedes-Benz's successful 300 SL, he could sell sufficient in the 'States to make the project viable. Hoffman knew just the man to style the car too: German émigré Count Albrecht Graf von Goertz, an independent industrial designer who since his arrival in the USA in 1936 had worked for the legendary Raymond Loewy on the latter's trend-setting Studebakers. Designer of everything from fountain pens to furniture, Goertz had never before styled an entire car, and post-507 would not work for BMW again until the 1980s.

The fundamental elements of BMW's proposed new sports car already existed in the 502 saloon, most notably its 3.2-litre, all-aluminium V8 engine, which was installed in a shortened chassis for the 507. Mechanical design was handled by BMW stalwarts Fritz Fiedler and Alex von Falkenhausen, with Goertz shuttling back and forth between the USA and Germany to oversee production of the full-size clay model. The robust nature of the 502-based chassis necessitated the use of aluminium for the 507's bodywork in the interest of weight saving, the finished car tipping the scales at around 1,280kg. With 150bhp on tap, performance was adequate if not stunning, production cars being capable of around 200km/h, with 100km/h coming up in 11 seconds. For relaxed cruising though, the 507 had few peers, its state-of-the-art V8 engine delivering ample torque over a wide rev range.

Although the prototype displayed at the 1955 Frankfurt Auto Show met with critical acclaim, the 507's reception at its New York debut two months earlier had been disappointing. BMW had missed Hoffman's $5,000 price target by a wide margin, the 507's initial US selling price being set at $9,000, more than double the cost of a Ford Thunderbird or Chevrolet Corvette. In the UK, one could buy two Jaguar XK150s for the price of a single 507. Even Mercedes-Benz's 300 SL Coupé was cheaper, though the Stuttgart firm was sufficiently impressed (worried?) by the 507 to introduce a direct competitor in the form of the 300 SL Roadster.

Production proper of the 507 did not begin until 1956, the first series being built until June 1957 when the design was revised in detail. Improvements were mainly concentrated on the interior, which gained a deeper dashboard, a greater range of fore-and-aft seat adjustment, and a rear parcel shelf while today many collectors prefer the earlier dashboard layout. There was, almost inevitably, an increase in price that only served to place the 507 even further beyond the reach of ordinary mortals. For those who could afford style at any price however, BMW's svelte roadster was the car to be seen in; pop idol Elvis Presley, motorcycling and Formula 1 World Champion John Surtees, film stars Alain Delon and Ursula Andress, skiing champion Toni Sailer, Prince Rainer of Monaco, the King of Greece and the Aga Khan all being owners at one time or another. Nevertheless, such a limited clientele, however exclusive, could not sustain the 507 in production, which ceased in December 1959 after only 254 cars had been sold.

Glamorous and ultra-rare, this beautiful Series I example was built in March 1957 and delivered new to its first owner in Switzerland, their identity being unknown. This particular car is one of only 34 Series I models from a total of 254 units produced, and it was the second to get the 'stronger spring arm and brackets' that became standard subsequently. Also known as the 'Continental Version', the Series I is identified by a body-coloured panel behind the seats, which covers the area occupied by the fuel tank. This car comes with a rare factory hardtop and has the desirable Rudge wheels.

From 1963 to 2009 the BMW was owned by a Mr Pichler in Zurich (registered 'ZH-4166') and was fully restored between 2007 and 2009. In 2009 the car was sold to noted collector Lukas Hüni in Zurich, its registration changing to 'ZH-4133'. Mr Hüni had to have the body repainted out of necessity - he dislikes over restored cars and strives to keep all his as original as possible - but fortunately the original interior was still in good condition. The carpet had been replaced many years previously.

In 2013, Mr Hüni took '70019' to Pebble Beach where it finished 3rd in class, the only Series I entered. Later that some year the BMW was sold to Jaroslaw Pawluk and registered in the UK as '486 YUR'. BMW Group Classic, Munich purchased the 507 in 2016 and kept the car for a year before selling it to the current vendor in 2017. Running to 91 pages, the car's comprehensive BMW Classic Master Expertise is on file. The car also comes with a spare original Series I cylinder block supplied by BMW Classic at the time of purchase, as it is currently fitted as many 507s are with a fully rebuilt 503 block with all 507 ancillaries.

Presented in superb both cosmetic and mechanical condition, and eligible for the most prestigious concours events and rallies, including the Mille Miglia and the Tour Auto, '70019' represents a very rare opportunity to own one of these exclusive BMW sports cars – far rarer than a Mercedes-Benz 300 SL not to mention as a Series 1 – with classic German styling and reflecting the impressive sporting pedigree of the Bavarian marque.

Please note that as this car has less than 6,000 kilometres recorded on the odometer, it is considered to be a New Means of Transport under EU law and will incur a VAT liability if sold to an EU country other than Belgium. The current Belgian VAT rate of 21% will be applied on the invoice total.