1959 BMW 507 Roadster Series II
Count Albrecht von Goertz drew a body of striking restraint (a long hood, pronounced side vents, minimal brightwork) that looked unlike anything else in production when the car debuted at the 1955 Frankfurt Motor Show.
The aluminum bodywork was hand-fitted over a shortened version of the 502 sedan’s platform, with engineering overseen by Fritz Fiedler.
Power came from a 3.2-liter all-alloy overhead-valve V8 producing 150 hp through twin carburetors and a four-speed gearbox. The Series II, introduced in mid-1957, added modest interior revisions and slightly more room behind the seats thanks to changes in fuel tank placement.
Top speed varied by final-drive ratio, with figures ranging from approximately 124 to 136 mph depending on specification.
BMW built only 252 examples before production ended in 1959, losing money on each one. The financial strain nearly proved fatal to the company, making the 507’s subsequent status as one of the most valuable BMWs ever produced a considerable irony.
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