1958 BMW 501-8
BMW’s first postwar sedan arrived in 1952 with curved styling that earned it the “baroque angel” nickname from the German public. The 501-8 variant was introduced in spring 1955, positioned between the six-cylinder 501/3 and the more luxurious 502.
Power came from a 2,580cc aluminum V8 with hemispherical combustion chambers and overhead valves. A single Solex two-barrel carburetor fed the engine, which delivered 95-100 horsepower at 4,800 rpm depending on tune. This lightweight V8 was Germany’s first postwar automobile V8 engine and pushed the sedan to nearly 100 mph.
The chassis featured front double A-arms and a live rear axle suspended by torsion bars, with four-wheel hydraulic drum brakes. A four-speed manual transmission sent power to the rear wheels. In autumn 1958, BMW renamed the 501-8 as the 2.6 (later 2600), continuing production with updates through 1963.
Three body styles were available: sedan, cabriolet, and coupe. The sedan featured period details like individual front seats and optional fog lamps that distinguished it from earlier six-cylinder variants.
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