1957 BMW 507 Roadster w/ Hardtop
Hand-formed aluminum bodywork shaped each BMW 507 into an individual creation when production began in November 1956.
Industrial designer Albrecht von Goertz styled the roadster to fill the market gap between the expensive Mercedes-Benz 300SL and more affordable British sports cars. Only 252 examples were completed by late 1959, plus two prototypes.
The 507’s 195-cubic-inch aluminum V-8 produced 150 horsepower through dual Zenith carburetors, propelling the lightweight roadster to 62 mph in about 11 seconds and a top speed of roughly 135 mph. A four-speed manual transmission and choice of final-drive ratios complemented the performance-oriented setup.
A removable hardtop was available for buyers who wanted additional weather protection without sacrificing the car’s clean roadster lines. BMW originally intended to sell the 507 for $5,000, but production costs pushed the price to around $10,500.
The company lost money on every unit built, contributing to losses that nearly bankrupted BMW by 1959. Despite commercial failure, the 507 attracted celebrity owners including Elvis Presley and established BMW’s sporting credentials for decades to come.
Source
