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BMW introduced their 501 model in April 1951 at the Frankfurt Motor Show. It brought with it solid engineering and luxurious appointments, and was priced at over 15,000 DM, making it very much an elite automobile. Peter Szymanowski, one-time head of BMW design, was credited with the car's styling. The design preserved traditional BMW cues, including the double-kidney grille and flared fenders. The 501, as well as the 502, was nicknamed the 'Baroque Angel,' for their flowing, curvaceous appearance.
Powering the Model 501 was a straight-six OHV engine that was mated to a four-speed manual gearbox. It was given an all-new platform, double A-arm front suspension, and a rear live axle with torsion bar springs in both the front and rear.
In 1954, BMW introduced a derivation of the 501 saloon, the Model 502. It was Germany's first post-war V8 powered car. The engine displaced 2.6 liters with an aluminum alloy block and an available 100 horsepower. At the time, it was said to be Germany's fastest production sedan, with a top speed of 100 mph. Along with improved performance, the BMW 502 was fitted with elegant interior fittings. Standard features included fog lamps and individual front seats. Body styles included a coupe, two-door and four-door cabriolet, and a saloon. The coupe and cabriolet bodies were built by Baur, as BMW production facilities had been compromised by the war. The relationship between Baur and BMW extended back to the 1930s; Baur had been building convertibles for BMW since that time.
The BMW 502 Cabriolet bodystyle was introduced for 1956, and 57 examples of the two-door cabriolets were produced by Baur. These cars were sold through the BMW dealer network and built to order. The list price was DM 21,900; delivery times could take up to six months.
This particular example is a Two-Door Cabriolet with coachwork by Baur. It is one of only two such cars known to be in the United States. The car has been given a restoration since new. It was manufactured on June 2, 1956 and delivered to the firm of Siemens & Halske, AG, in Munich for executive use. It is not known when the car was brought to Canada, but by 1973 it was registered by Dr. Franklin Lam, an Ottawa dentist.
In 2010, Dr. Lam had the idle vehicle towed away. The tow truck driver, Michael Higgins, purchased the car with the intention of restoring it. The project proved too great to complete, so he elected to sell the car. On June 6, 2001, the current owners acquired the car.
The new owners had the car shipped to Europe for restoration. It was given a Topaz Blue metallic finish (code 364) and a beige leather interior.
The owners took delivery of the refurbished 502 on May 2, 2013. Since the work was completed, the car has competed in several events that have been sponsored by the BMW Vintage & Classic Car Club of America, such as a 1000-mile tour in northern Germany in September 2013 and a 1,000-mile road rally through the Colorado Rockies. The 502 has also been entered in several concours d 'elegance events, where it has won Best in Class and Peoples' Choice awards.
The car rides on Michelin radial tires and is powered by a 3.2-liter V8 engine (the original 2.6-liter engine (number 11849) was replaced in favor of the more powerful 3.2-liter unit). The front drum brakes have been exchanged for power-assisted disc brakes.By Daniel Vaughan | May 2015
Powering the Model 501 was a straight-six OHV engine that was mated to a four-speed manual gearbox. It was given an all-new platform, double A-arm front suspension, and a rear live axle with torsion bar springs in both the front and rear.
In 1954, BMW introduced a derivation of the 501 saloon, the Model 502. It was Germany's first post-war V8 powered car. The engine displaced 2.6 liters with an aluminum alloy block and an available 100 horsepower. At the time, it was said to be Germany's fastest production sedan, with a top speed of 100 mph. Along with improved performance, the BMW 502 was fitted with elegant interior fittings. Standard features included fog lamps and individual front seats. Body styles included a coupe, two-door and four-door cabriolet, and a saloon. The coupe and cabriolet bodies were built by Baur, as BMW production facilities had been compromised by the war. The relationship between Baur and BMW extended back to the 1930s; Baur had been building convertibles for BMW since that time.
The BMW 502 Cabriolet bodystyle was introduced for 1956, and 57 examples of the two-door cabriolets were produced by Baur. These cars were sold through the BMW dealer network and built to order. The list price was DM 21,900; delivery times could take up to six months.
This particular example is a Two-Door Cabriolet with coachwork by Baur. It is one of only two such cars known to be in the United States. The car has been given a restoration since new. It was manufactured on June 2, 1956 and delivered to the firm of Siemens & Halske, AG, in Munich for executive use. It is not known when the car was brought to Canada, but by 1973 it was registered by Dr. Franklin Lam, an Ottawa dentist.
In 2010, Dr. Lam had the idle vehicle towed away. The tow truck driver, Michael Higgins, purchased the car with the intention of restoring it. The project proved too great to complete, so he elected to sell the car. On June 6, 2001, the current owners acquired the car.
The new owners had the car shipped to Europe for restoration. It was given a Topaz Blue metallic finish (code 364) and a beige leather interior.
The owners took delivery of the refurbished 502 on May 2, 2013. Since the work was completed, the car has competed in several events that have been sponsored by the BMW Vintage & Classic Car Club of America, such as a 1000-mile tour in northern Germany in September 2013 and a 1,000-mile road rally through the Colorado Rockies. The 502 has also been entered in several concours d 'elegance events, where it has won Best in Class and Peoples' Choice awards.
The car rides on Michelin radial tires and is powered by a 3.2-liter V8 engine (the original 2.6-liter engine (number 11849) was replaced in favor of the more powerful 3.2-liter unit). The front drum brakes have been exchanged for power-assisted disc brakes.By Daniel Vaughan | May 2015
2020 RM Sothebys : Shift/Monterey
Pre-Auction Estimates :
USD $300,000-USD $350,000
Lot was not sold
2015 RM Sotheby's : Amelia Island
Pre-Auction Estimates :
USD $250,000-USD $350,000
Sale Price :
USD $341,000
1956 BMW 502 Auction Sales
Recent Sales of the BMW 502
(Data based on Model Year 1956 sales)
1956 BMW 502 Sedan Chassis#: 62416 Sold for USD$13,620 2022 Worldwide Auctioneers : The Auburn Auction | |
1956 BMW 502 V8 Chassis#: 61-595 Sold for USD$36,004 2019 Silverstone - Race Retro Classic Car | |
1956 BMW 502 Sedan Chassis#: 62416 Sold for USD$24,640 2018 Bonhams : Collectors Motorcars and Automobilia Auction | |
1956 BMW 502 Chassis#: 61128 Sold for USD$33,750 2017 Coys : Classic Days at Schloss Dyck | |
1956 BMW 502 Cabriolet by Baur Chassis#: 59094 Sold for USD$341,000 2015 RM Sotheby's : Amelia Island |
BMW 502s That Failed To Sell At Auction
1956 BMW 502's that have appeared at auction but did not sell.
Vehicle | Chassis | Event | High Bid | Est. Low | Est. High |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
1956 BMW 502 Cabriolet by Baur | 59094 | 2020 RM Sothebys : Shift/Monterey | $300,000 | $350,000 | |
1956 BMW 502 V8 | 61-595 | 2017 Silverstone Auctions : Race Retro Classic Car Sale |
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1956 BMW 502
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