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After World War II, BMW relocated to Munich and marketed motorcycles, returning to automobile production in 1952. In 1954, they introduced their new aluminum V-8 engine which served as a replacement for the pre-war inline-six engine. The new V8 was designed by Alfred Boning and loosely based on the cast-iron American V-8. The engine produced the company with performance stability and provided a means to return to sports car production. At the 1955 Frankfurt Motor Show, BMW introduced their exciting new models. Alongside the legendary 507 was the 503 Coupe. Designed by Raymond Loewy understudy Count Albrecht von Goertz, the two new models were sensational. Pinin Farina even proclaimed the 503 as the most beautiful car in the show.
Production of the custom-made 503 began in 1956. They were luxurious, had a sporty persona, and expensive. In 1957, BMW introduced the Series II 503 which implemented the 507 V-8 engine offering 140 horsepower and 188 lbs./ft. of torque. This gave the alloy-bodied 2+2 a top speed of 118 mph.
Though a very impressive automobile, both visually and mechanically, just 412 examples of the model 503 were built, of which 139 were cabriolets.
This 1957 BMW 503 Series II Coupe, chassis number 69116, is powered by a 3168cc overhead valve aluminum V8 engine breathing through dual Zenith carburetors. It produces 140 horsepower and has a three-speed manual column shift gearbox. There are four-wheel hydraulic drum brakes and an independent front suspension by upper and lower A-arms.
It was a special order car and finished in the color of Ultramaron Metallic over saddle leather with brown piping. It was imported by Mr. Max Hoffman and eventually sold to an owner in Manitowoc, Wisconsin, on March 8th of 1957. In 1962, William Forde purchased the BMW from the original owner in Wisconsin. Mr. Forde was a resident of Rochester, Minnesota. Shortly after acquiring the car, Mr. Forde became an enthusiastic member of the BMW Car Club.
In 1971, the car was put into dry storage where it remained for approximately three decades until Mr. Forde passed away nearly 40 years after his initial acquisition of the car.
The car's next caretaker was a Santa Barbara resident who took ownership of the car with it having just 39,000 original miles. Since then, the car has been given a re-paint in its original color of Ultramaron Metallic. Some of the chrome trim was replated; the interior remains intact and original.
In 2012, the car was offered for sale by Gooding & Company at their Scottsdale, Az. auction. The car was estimated to sell for $165,000 - $195,000. The car found new ownership for the sum of $165,000, inclusive of buyer's premium.By Daniel Vaughan | Feb 2012
Production of the custom-made 503 began in 1956. They were luxurious, had a sporty persona, and expensive. In 1957, BMW introduced the Series II 503 which implemented the 507 V-8 engine offering 140 horsepower and 188 lbs./ft. of torque. This gave the alloy-bodied 2+2 a top speed of 118 mph.
Though a very impressive automobile, both visually and mechanically, just 412 examples of the model 503 were built, of which 139 were cabriolets.
This 1957 BMW 503 Series II Coupe, chassis number 69116, is powered by a 3168cc overhead valve aluminum V8 engine breathing through dual Zenith carburetors. It produces 140 horsepower and has a three-speed manual column shift gearbox. There are four-wheel hydraulic drum brakes and an independent front suspension by upper and lower A-arms.
It was a special order car and finished in the color of Ultramaron Metallic over saddle leather with brown piping. It was imported by Mr. Max Hoffman and eventually sold to an owner in Manitowoc, Wisconsin, on March 8th of 1957. In 1962, William Forde purchased the BMW from the original owner in Wisconsin. Mr. Forde was a resident of Rochester, Minnesota. Shortly after acquiring the car, Mr. Forde became an enthusiastic member of the BMW Car Club.
In 1971, the car was put into dry storage where it remained for approximately three decades until Mr. Forde passed away nearly 40 years after his initial acquisition of the car.
The car's next caretaker was a Santa Barbara resident who took ownership of the car with it having just 39,000 original miles. Since then, the car has been given a re-paint in its original color of Ultramaron Metallic. Some of the chrome trim was replated; the interior remains intact and original.
In 2012, the car was offered for sale by Gooding & Company at their Scottsdale, Az. auction. The car was estimated to sell for $165,000 - $195,000. The car found new ownership for the sum of $165,000, inclusive of buyer's premium.By Daniel Vaughan | Feb 2012
2012 Gooding and Company - The Scottsdale Auction
Pre-Auction Estimates :
USD $165,000-USD $195,000
Sale Price :
USD $165,000
1957 BMW 503 Auction Sales
Recent Sales of the BMW 503
(Data based on Model Year 1957 sales)
1957 BMW 503 COUPE Chassis#: 69089 Sold for USD$134,400 2024 Gooding : Amelia Island | |
1957 BMW 503 Coupe Sold for USD$66,000 2023 Mecum : Kissimmee | |
1957 BMW 503 Chassis#: 69141 Sold for USD$297,419 2020 Bonhams : Goodwood Speedweek | |
1957 BMW 503 Coupe Chassis#: 69185 Sold for USD$137,500 2019 RM Sothebys : Fort Lauderdale | ![]() ![]() |
1957 BMW 503 Cabriolet Chassis#: 69090 Sold for USD$583,000 2017 Bonhams : Quail Lodge | ![]() ![]() |
1957 BMW 503 Coupe Chassis#: 69.181 Sold for USD$160,574 2017 Coys at Olympia | |
1957 BMW 503 CABRIOLET Chassis#: 69146 Sold for USD$330,000 2014 Bonhams Quail Lodge Auction | ![]() ![]() |
1957 BMW 503 Coupe Chassis#: 69185 Sold for USD$220,000 2014 Gooding & Company - Amelia Island Sale | ![]() ![]() |
1957 BMW 503 Series II Coupe Chassis#: 69116 Sold for USD$165,000 2012 Gooding and Company - The Scottsdale Auction | ![]() ![]() |
1957 BMW 503 Cabriolet Chassis#: 69146 Sold for USD$231,000 2009 Pebble Beach Auction : Gooding & Company | ![]() ![]() |
1957 BMW 503 Convertible Chassis#: 69146 Sold for USD$165,000 2007 Vintage Motor Cars in Arizona | ![]() ![]() |
1957 BMW 503 Convertible Coupe Chassis#: 69146 Sold for USD$165,000 2004 The Monterey Sports and Classic Car Auction | ![]() ![]() |
BMW 503s That Failed To Sell At Auction
1957 BMW 503's that have appeared at auction but did not sell.
Vehicle | Chassis | Event | High Bid | Est. Low | Est. High |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
1957 BMW 503 Cabriolet by Bertone | 69146 | 2013 RM Auctions VILLA ERBA | $240,000 |
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