The BMW 507, produced from 1956 to 1959, is one of the most beautiful and collectible German sports cars ever built. Designed by Albrecht von Goertz, the elegant two-seat roadster combined flowing aluminum bodywork, a 3.2-liter V8 engine and sophisticated grand-touring character. Although the 507 was a commercial disappointment when new, its rarity, distinctive styling and importance to BMW’s history have made it one of the marque’s most valuable automobiles.
Conceived as a competitor to the Mercedes-Benz 300 SL, the 507 was intended to establish BMW as a manufacturer of prestigious, high-performance sports cars in the lucrative American market. However, expensive hand-built construction pushed its selling price far beyond the original target, restricting production to just 252 examples, excluding prototypes, according to BMW’s historical records.
Today, the 507 is especially prized for its timeless design, limited production and association with prominent owners, including Elvis Presley. Collectors distinguish between the early Series I and later Series II cars, as well as individual examples with rare factory equipment, unusual body details or exceptional provenance. Because the cars were largely hand-built, specification and originality must be evaluated individually.
Origins: BMW’s American Sports-Car Ambition
During the early 1950s, BMW was rebuilding its automotive business following World War II. The company offered expensive six- and eight-cylinder luxury cars, but it lacked a modern sports car capable of competing with the Mercedes-Benz 300 SL or the increasingly popular European roadsters sold in America.
The inspiration for the 507 came largely from Max Hoffman, the influential American importer who helped introduce several important European sports cars to the United States. Hoffman believed BMW could sell a stylish V8-powered roadster positioned below the Mercedes-Benz 300 SL in price.
BMW initially explored designs by its own engineering and styling personnel, but Hoffman encouraged the company to commission German-born industrial designer Albrecht von Goertz, who was working in the United States.
Goertz developed an exceptionally elegant body featuring a long hood, short rear deck, low windshield and flowing fenders. The design combined American-influenced proportions with a distinctly European sense of restraint.
The 507 debuted publicly at the 1955 Frankfurt Motor Show, with production beginning in 1956. Its styling attracted immediate praise, but the economics of building the car proved far more difficult than BMW had anticipated.
1955 BMW 507 roadster – pre-production prototype, from an auction on August 19, 2001
Albrecht von Goertz’s Design
The BMW 507 is widely regarded as one of the finest examples of postwar automotive design. Its proportions are exceptionally balanced, with a low hood, compact passenger compartment and gently tapered rear bodywork. Goertz reinterpreted BMW’s traditional twin-kidney grille as a pair of wide horizontal openings integrated into the low front end. This distinctive treatment became one of the car’s defining features.
The long hood incorporated subtle sculpting, while the front fenders flowed smoothly into the doors. The rear featured restrained fins and small taillights, avoiding the excessive ornamentation common on some contemporary American automobiles.
The body was constructed from hand-formed aluminum panels, giving each car subtle individual differences. Unlike mass-produced steel bodies, the 507’s panels required extensive craftsmanship and careful fitting.
The removable hardtop, when fitted, complemented the roadster’s proportions and created an elegant closed grand tourer. Today, original hardtops are highly desirable because they were individually fitted and can be difficult to interchange between cars.
The 3.2-Liter BMW V8
The 507 used BMW’s 3,168cc overhead-valve V8, designed by Fritz Fiedler, a development of the aluminum-alloy engine introduced in the company’s luxury sedans during the early 1950s. The engine featured a 90-degree cylinder-bank angle, pushrod-operated valves and a lightweight aluminum block and cylinder heads. This construction was advanced for the period, particularly compared with the heavy cast-iron V8 engines common in American automobiles.
In the 507, the V8 was equipped with twin Zenith carburetors and revised tuning, producing approximately 150 DIN horsepower at 5,000 rpm and 235 Nm of torque. Although this output was modest compared with the Mercedes-Benz 300 SL’s fuel-injected straight-six, the BMW V8 offered smooth power delivery, strong low-speed torque and a distinctive exhaust note.
The engine was paired with a four-speed manual transmission, providing a traditional sports-car driving experience.
The 507 was designed primarily as a fast and refined roadster rather than a competition machine, and its engine characteristics reflected that philosophy.
Chassis and Suspension
The 507 used a shortened and modified version of the chassis architecture developed for BMW’s contemporary V8-powered sedans. Its substantial steel frame provided rigidity and durability, although it contributed to a relatively high overall weight for a two-seat sports car. The front suspension used independent double wishbones with torsion bars, while the rear employed a live axle located by a Panhard rod and torsion bars. To be precise, the 507’s rear suspension used transverse torsion bars with semi-trailing links and a A-frame (triangulated upper control arm) or Panhard rod depending on the sub-series to locate the live rear axle. This arrangement provided reasonable ride comfort and predictable handling, but it was less sophisticated than the fully independent suspension of the Mercedes-Benz 300 SL.
The 507’s steering was precise by the standards of the period, although the car was more comfortable as a grand tourer than as an aggressively driven sports car.
Drum brakes were fitted at all four corners on early cars, with front disc brakes appearing on some later examples.
Performance and Driving Character
Contemporary performance figures varied according to testing conditions and specification, but the 507 was generally capable of approximately 125 mph (200 km/h). Contemporary period tests by Road & Track and Auto, Motor und Sport generally measured 0–60 mph in 11.1 to 11.5 seconds with standard rear-axle gearing, though optional shorter final-drive ratios allowed sub-10-second runs. These figures made it a capable sports car in the late 1950s, although it was not as fast as the Mercedes-Benz 300 SL. The V8 delivered smooth acceleration and a distinctive exhaust note, while the four-speed manual transmission encouraged relaxed but engaging driving.
The 507’s relatively heavy chassis and comfortable suspension made it particularly well suited to long-distance touring.
Its greatest appeal lies in the combination of elegant styling, open-air motoring and the unusual character of BMW’s early aluminum V8.
1957 BMW 507 Series 1 convertible, from an auction in Paris on February 7th, 2019
Series I: 1956–57
Collectors generally divide 507 production into Series I and Series II, reflecting important changes introduced during the production run.
The early Series I cars featured a smaller fuel tank positioned behind the seats. This arrangement reduced available luggage space and affected the configuration of the rear body and passenger compartment. Series I cars also incorporated several early-production details that were revised as manufacturing continued.
Because the 507 was largely hand-built, there were variations in trim, fittings and body details even among cars of the same series.
The Series I cars are especially interesting to collectors who value the earliest expression of Goertz’s design and the historical significance of BMW’s initial production specification.
1957 BMW 507 Series II convertible, from an auction in Munich on October 18th, 2025
Series II: 1957–59
The Series II 507 introduced several changes intended to improve practicality and usability. The most significant revision was the relocation of the fuel tank from behind the seats to a position beneath the rear luggage compartment. This improved interior packaging and increased available space.
Other changes involved dashboard details, equipment and mechanical refinements.
The Series II is generally regarded as the more practical version for regular use, although both series share the same fundamental engine, chassis and styling.
Production continued until 1959, when BMW discontinued the model after failing to achieve sufficient sales volume to justify its high manufacturing costs.
1957 BMW 507 convertible with factory hardtop, from an auction at the Goodwood Festival of Speed on July 13th, 2018
Factory Hardtop and Other Equipment
The 507 was primarily sold as an open roadster with a folding fabric top, but buyers could also specify a removable aluminum hardtop. The hardtop transformed the car’s appearance, creating a graceful closed coupe profile. Because the bodies were hand-built, hardtops were typically fitted to individual cars, and exchanging them between vehicles can require substantial adjustment.
Original hardtops are highly desirable today, particularly when accompanied by their correct mounting hardware and documentation.
Other factory equipment included different upholstery materials, exterior colors and selected comfort accessories.
The 507 was not offered in a broad range of mechanical variants. Instead, individual factory specifications, body details and provenance provide much of the variation among surviving cars.
Special Bodies and Individual Variations
The 507 was never produced in large enough numbers to support an extensive range of factory special editions, but its hand-built construction resulted in several unusual examples. Some cars received unique interior appointments, special paint colors or individualized equipment at the request of their original owners. A small number were modified by coachbuilders or subsequent owners, sometimes with altered bodywork, interiors or mechanical components.
Such cars can be historically interesting, but collectors generally distinguish between documented factory specifications and later modifications.
Because each 507 is exceptionally valuable, any claim of unusual original equipment should be supported by factory records and period documentation.
Elvis Presley’s BMW 507
One of the most famous 507s was owned by Elvis Presley, who acquired the car while serving in the U.S. Army in Germany in 1958. The car had previously been used by racing driver Hans Stuck, who demonstrated the 507 at motorsport events and promotional appearances. Presley purchased the car in white, but it was reportedly repainted red during his ownership, partly because fans repeatedly left lipstick messages on its bodywork. After Presley returned to the United States, the car passed through several owners and was eventually modified with a Chevrolet V8 engine.
The car was rediscovered decades later and acquired by BMW Group Classic, which undertook an extensive restoration to return it to its original specification.
The restored Elvis Presley 507 is now one of the most historically significant examples of the model, illustrating the importance of documented provenance and the challenges of preserving rare hand-built automobiles.
Hans Stuck and the 507’s Motorsport Connections
Although the 507 was not developed primarily for competition, BMW used racing driver Hans Stuck to promote the car through demonstrations and selected motorsport appearances. Stuck, one of Germany’s most accomplished prewar racing drivers, drove the 507 in hill climbs and other events, helping establish its sporting credentials.
The car’s performance was respectable, but its relatively heavy construction and modest engine output limited its competitiveness against purpose-built racing machines. The 507 therefore remained principally a prestigious road-going sports car rather than a successful competition model.
Its limited racing history is nevertheless important, particularly for individual cars with documented period motorsport involvement.
Why the 507 Was a Commercial Failure
The 507’s commercial difficulties resulted primarily from its extremely high production cost.
Max Hoffman’s original concept envisioned a stylish V8-powered sports car that could sell in the United States for approximately $5,000. However, the combination of hand-formed aluminum bodywork, expensive chassis construction and low production volume pushed the actual selling price to approximately $9,000–$10,000, depending upon market and equipment.
At that price, the 507 competed directly with the Mercedes-Benz 300 SL, which offered substantially greater performance and an established competition reputation. Demand was far below expectations, and BMW reportedly lost money on every car produced. The 507’s financial losses contributed to BMW’s serious difficulties during the late 1950s. The company ultimately survived through restructuring and the development of more commercially successful models.
Ironically, the very factors that made the 507 unsuccessful when new—its expensive hand-built construction and extremely limited production—later contributed to its exceptional collector value.
Body and Structural Problems
The 507’s hand-formed aluminum bodywork requires specialized knowledge and craftsmanship to restore correctly. Although aluminum does not rust in the same way as steel, it can suffer from corrosion, fatigue, cracking and damage caused by contact with dissimilar metals.
The underlying steel chassis is vulnerable to conventional corrosion, particularly around suspension mounting points, crossmembers and areas exposed to road moisture.
Body repairs are particularly challenging because replacement panels are not readily interchangeable. Each car’s original panels were hand-fitted, and reproducing their contours requires specialist metalworking skills.
Panel alignment, door gaps and the fit of the hood and trunk should be examined carefully.
A poorly repaired 507 can require extraordinarily expensive corrective work, making structural condition and restoration quality critical considerations.
Engine and Mechanical Maintenance
BMW’s aluminum V8 is generally a durable engine when properly maintained, but its age and rarity create significant maintenance challenges.
Cooling-system condition is especially important because overheating can damage aluminum cylinder heads and other components.
The engine may suffer from oil leaks, worn valve-train components, deteriorated seals and corrosion within the cooling passages.
Original carburetors, ignition components and engine accessories can be difficult to source.
The four-speed manual transmission and rear axle are relatively straightforward mechanically, but replacement components may require specialist suppliers or custom fabrication.
A complete mechanical inspection is essential, particularly for cars that have spent long periods in storage or have undergone incomplete restoration.
Brakes, Steering and Suspension
The 507’s suspension and braking systems require careful maintenance because many components are unique or produced in very small numbers. Worn suspension bushings, steering joints and torsion-bar components can affect handling and ride quality.
Early drum-brake systems must be properly adjusted and maintained to provide adequate stopping performance. Later cars equipped with front disc brakes offer improved braking characteristics, although correct components are important for authenticity.
The 507’s steering should feel reasonably precise for a 1950s grand tourer. Excessive play, unusual noises or uneven tire wear may indicate worn suspension or steering components.
Interior and Trim Restoration
The 507’s interior is elegantly simple, featuring a painted metal dashboard, large instruments and carefully finished leather upholstery. Original interior components are exceptionally valuable because many trim pieces were produced specifically for the model.
Dashboard instruments, switches, door fittings and seat hardware can be difficult to replace. The folding soft top and optional removable hardtop also require specialized restoration knowledge. Collectors generally prefer interiors restored to original factory specifications, including correct leather colors, stitching patterns and trim materials.
Because the 507 was hand-built, reference photographs and factory records are particularly important when determining the correct details for an individual car.
Authentication and Originality
Authentication is essential when evaluating a BMW 507 because of its extraordinary value and the relatively small number of surviving cars. The chassis number, engine number, body identification and factory production records should be examined carefully.
Original engines and transmissions are particularly important, as some cars received replacement powertrains during periods when their collector value was much lower.
Factory paint colors, upholstery specifications and optional equipment should be verified wherever possible.
The presence of an original hardtop can add substantial value, but its authenticity and correct fit should be established.
Cars with documented ownership histories, particularly those associated with prominent individuals or motorsport events, may command significant premiums.
Understanding the Major BMW 507 Variations
- BMW 507 Series I (1956–57): Early-production roadster with the original fuel-tank arrangement behind the seats and distinctive early body and interior details.
- BMW 507 Series II (1957–59): Revised version with relocated fuel tank, improved packaging and incremental mechanical and equipment changes.
- BMW 507 with Factory Hardtop: Roadster equipped with the optional removable aluminum hardtop, highly desirable when original and correctly fitted.
- BMW 507 with Later Brake Specification: Certain later cars incorporating front disc brakes and related mechanical refinements.
- Special-Order 507s: Individual cars with unusual factory paint, upholstery or equipment specifications.
- Historically Significant 507s: Examples with documented ownership or use by notable individuals, including Elvis Presley and Hans Stuck.
The 507 was not offered in separate factory engine or high-performance versions. Its principal distinctions are the Series I and Series II configurations, factory equipment and individual provenance.
Important Sales Reviewed by SCM Experts
In each month’s issue for the past 38 years, SCM’s analysts have reviewed 5 to 7 significant cars sold at auction, and discuss what options, history, or details made that particular more or less valuable. They give their expert opinion on the market for these cars, and whether this car was well bought or well sold. If you’re thinking of purchasing a BMW 507, you’ll likely find these profiles critical in helping you make the right decision. Each of the following is an article from our print magazine on a BMW 507 sold at auction.
1957 BMW 507 Series IIEvery BMW 507 is a special machine, but this example benefits from both enthusiast long-term owners and beautiful preservation as a result of long-term dry storage. One of only 252 examples of the 507 ever built, chassis 70059 was one of 13 to be delivered new to Venezuela. According to BMW Classic records and confirmed […]Read more
1958 BMW 507 3.2 Series II RoadsterGlamorous and ultra-rare, this beautiful Series II example was delivered new on January 27, 1958, to the BMW agent Wolfgang Denzel in Vienna, Austria — as confirmed in a letter from BMW Group Classic. On February 10, 1958, the BMW was registered to Kommerzienrat Fritz Quester, Vienna. The original exterior color was silver-gray. No records […]Read more- Two BMW 507 Sales at Amelia IslandBMW 507 Chassis 70134 (Gooding & Co.) Constructed in late 1957, it is believed that this 507 was sold new to the United States through Hoffman Motors of New York. According to the research of marque experts, just 34 examples of BMW’s 507 were officially exported new to the U.S. Over the years, the 507 […]Read more
Cars For Sale
Quick links to listings for this make and model online:
Books on the BMW 507
Note that as an Amazon Associate, we earn from qualifying purchases of the above books.
Past Auction Sales – BMW 507
Average BMW 507 Sale Price by Year from SCM’s Platinum Auction Database:
BMW 507 Sales from SCM’s Platinum Auction Database:
Broad Arrow Auctions
Condition: 2
Aug 13, 2026
$1,710,000
RM Sotheby's
Condition: 2
Oct 18, 2025
$1,714,187
Broad Arrow Auctions
Condition: 1-
Mar 7, 2025
$2,122,500
Bring a Trailer
Condition: 2
Feb 10, 2025
$1,877,993
Mecum Auctions
Condition: 2
Jan 4, 2023
$1,760,000
RM Sotheby's
Condition: 2-
Nov 26, 2022
$1,989,406
Bonhams
Condition: 1
Oct 9, 2022
$2,050,512
Bonhams
Condition: 4
Sep 30, 2022
$2,315,000
RM Sotheby's
Condition: 3+
May 14, 2022
$2,108,155
Gooding & Co.
Condition: 1-
May 3, 2021
$2,200,000
Bonhams
Condition: 2-
Jan 21, 2021
$1,809,000
Bonhams
Condition: 1-
Oct 9, 2020
$2,441,565
RM Sotheby's
Condition: 1-
Feb 5, 2020
$2,200,466
RM Sotheby's
Condition: 1-
Jan 17, 2019
$2,175,000
Bonhams
Condition: 2-
Dec 1, 2018
$3,018,678
Bonhams
Condition: 2-
Jul 13, 2018
$5,012,433
RM Sotheby's
Condition: 3
Feb 7, 2018
$2,192,308
Gooding & Co.
Condition: 2-
Jan 17, 2015
$1,815,000
Gooding & Co.
Condition: 2
Aug 16, 2014
$1,925,000
RM Auctions
Condition: 1-
Mar 8, 2014
$2,420,000
Gooding & Co.
Condition: 2+
Mar 7, 2014
$1,815,000
RM Auctions
Condition: 2
Nov 21, 2013
$1,650,000
Gooding & Co.
Condition: 3-
Jan 20, 2012
$962,500
RM Auctions
Condition: 1
Jan 19, 2012
$990,000
RM Auctions
Condition: 2
Aug 21, 2011
$1,072,500
Bonhams
Condition: 2-
Aug 18, 2011
$1,002,500
RM Auctions
Condition: 3+
May 21, 2011
$1,038,856
RM Auctions
Condition: 1
Oct 31, 2007
$893,104
Bonhams
Condition:
May 16, 2005
$416,159
RM Auctions
Condition: 2+
Jan 28, 2005
$346,500
Coys
Condition: 2
Nov 25, 1998
$202,145
Coys
Condition:
Jul 25, 1997
$207,598
Forums & Communities
Popular Videos about the BMW 507
