1958 BMW 507 Roadster

BMW introduced their 507 in late 1955 and it quickly became their flagship model. It wore styling by Count Albrecht von Goertz which had been heavily influenced by New York importer Max Hoffman. The lightweight alloy body evoked speed and elegance. It was built upon a rigid box frame and powered by a three-liter, 90-degree alloy V8 engine mated to a four-speed ZF manual gearbox. It had synchromesh gears, large finned-aluminum brake drums, and discs on later examples.

The limited-production V8 roadster production began in November of 1956 and concluded near the end of 1959 after just 252 examples were built. Even with its steep base price of $8,988 in the United States, it is said that the development and production costs of the 507 would have bankrupted the company were it not for the Isetta and motorcycle division. It was one of the most expensive and exclusive vehicles of its day.

This particular example was manufactured in October 1957 and delivered new in February 1958 to New Jersey. Its first known owner was Abraham Eckert of Langhorne, Pennsylvania. By 1995, the car had been registered in the Netherlands and, by 2013, was in the care of F.H. Breeman of Rotterdam. Also in 2013, it was acquired by Ulrich Berberich-Martini of Heilbronn, Germany.

From 2014 to 2015, this Series II car was given a restoration by Berberich-Martini's shop, Martini Garage of Heilbronn, Germany. It is currently finished in Graphite Gray Metallic over a beige interior with black piping, and fitted with knock-off wheels.

When this car left the BMW factory, it came equipped with a hardtop and finished in the color of Federweiss (Feather White).

Since this is a Series II car, it has the relocated gas tank which increased room in the passenger compartment and boot. It is also fitted with an underhood tool kit.

The current owner has brought the car back to the United States. In 2017, it was shown at the Pinehurst Concours d'Elegance.

By Daniel Vaughan | Nov 2017