Image credit: © conceptcarz.com (Reproduction Or reuse prohibited).
BMW unveiled the 503 2+2 sports car at the 1955 Frankfurt Motor Show and would produce them from May of 1956 through March of 1959. In total, only 413 were ever built, including 139 cabriolets. The styling was courtesy of Albrecht von Goertz based on ideas and sketches by Kurt Bredschneider. Power was from a light-weight V8 engine from the BMW 502. Displacing 3.2-liters, the powerplant produced 140 horsepower. They had a four-speed manual gearbox and four-wheel hydraulic drum brakes.
This Bertone-bodied 503 Cabriolet is one of the 129 drop-tops built. It was acquired by an American collector in the early 2000s, and at the time, was in excellent original condition. Very little work was required to make it roadworthy. It was given a mechanical restoration which turned out to be little more than a meticulous detailing and tune-up. It was evident that the car had been well cared for since new.
The car was given a full re-commissioning, that included taking it down to the bare aluminum. It was painted in white paint with the interior receiving a refinishing in leather. All of the gauges, knobs, and interior hardware were re-freshened, and a new top was fitted.
Since that time, the car has been used sparingly and properly serviced. It has been shown on a few occasions.
In 2009, this BMW 503 was offered for sale at Gooding & Company's auction held at Pebble Beach, California. The lot was estimated to sell for $225,000 - $275,000 and offered without reserve. The lot was sold for the sum of $231,000, inclusive of buyer's premium.By Daniel Vaughan | Jan 2010
This Bertone-bodied 503 Cabriolet is one of the 129 drop-tops built. It was acquired by an American collector in the early 2000s, and at the time, was in excellent original condition. Very little work was required to make it roadworthy. It was given a mechanical restoration which turned out to be little more than a meticulous detailing and tune-up. It was evident that the car had been well cared for since new.
The car was given a full re-commissioning, that included taking it down to the bare aluminum. It was painted in white paint with the interior receiving a refinishing in leather. All of the gauges, knobs, and interior hardware were re-freshened, and a new top was fitted.
Since that time, the car has been used sparingly and properly serviced. It has been shown on a few occasions.
In 2009, this BMW 503 was offered for sale at Gooding & Company's auction held at Pebble Beach, California. The lot was estimated to sell for $225,000 - $275,000 and offered without reserve. The lot was sold for the sum of $231,000, inclusive of buyer's premium.By Daniel Vaughan | Jan 2010
2014 Bonhams Quail Lodge Auction
Sale Price :
USD $330,000
2013 RM Auctions - VILLA ERBA
High Bid (Lot was not sold)
€240,000
2009 Pebble Beach Auction : Gooding & Company
Pre-Auction Estimates :
USD $225,000-USD $275,000
Sale Price :
USD $231,000
2007 Vintage Motor Cars in Arizona
Pre-Auction Estimates :
USD $140,000-USD $180,000
Sale Price :
USD $165,000
2004 The Monterey Sports and Classic Car Auction
Pre-Auction Estimates :
USD $140,000-USD $160,000
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 Series I Convertible Chassis#: 69091 Sold for USD$457,458 2024 RM Sothebys : The Tegernsee Auction | |
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 |
Vehicles With Comparable Market Values
Similar sales to the $239,412 range.
1940 Packard Custom Super Eight One-Eighty Convertible Sedan by Darrin Chassis#:1807-2012 Sold for $240,800 2024 RM Sothebys : Monterey | |
2005 Ferrari 612 Scaglietti Chassis#:ZFFAA54A150138852 Sold for $240,800 2024 RM Sothebys : Monterey | |
1946 Delahaye 135 M Graber Cabriolet Chassis#:800320 Sold for $240,800 2024 Broad Arrow : Monterey | |
2008 Ferrari 430 Scuderia Chassis#:ZFFKZ64B000159283 Sold for $237,281 2024 RM Sothebys : The Tegernsee Auction | |
1992 Porsche 964 Carrera RS Chassis#:WP0ZZZ96ZNS491382 Sold for $240,800 2024 Gooding & Company : Pebble Beach | |
1978 Porsche 911 Type 930 3.3-Litre Turbo Martini Coupé Chassis#:9308700183 Sold for $238,905 2024 Bonhams : Goodwood Festival of Speed | |
1951 Chevrolet 3100 Pickup Chassis#:9jpl19338 Sold for $237,999 2024 Mecum : Indy | |
1989 Ferrari 328 GTS Chassis#:zffxa20a1k0082356 Sold for $239,250 2024 Mecum : Indy | |
1960 Alfa Romeo Giulietta SZ Chassis#:AR101.26 00012 Sold for $241,564 2024 RM Sothebys : Monaco | |
2005 Ferrari F430 Chassis#:ZFFEZ58B000141377 Sold for $241,564 2024 RM Sothebys : Monaco | |
1962 CHEVROLET CORVETTE CUSTOM CONVERTIBLE Chassis#:20867S101806 Sold for $238,700 2024 Barrett-Jackson : Palm Beach | |
1966 ASTON MARTIN DB6 VANTAGE SALOON Chassis#:DB62805R Sold for $238,700 2024 Barrett-Jackson : Palm Beach | |
1948 Chris-Craft Deluxe Runabout 17' Boat Bar Sold for $240,000 2024 RM Sothebys : ModaMiami | |
1995 Ferrari F355 Spider Chassis#:ZFFPR48A3S0104074 Sold for $240,800 2024 RM Sothebys : ModaMiami | |
1994 Porsche 911 Speedster Chassis#:WP0CB2965RS465191 Sold for $240,800 2024 RM Sothebys : ModaMiami | |
2019 PORSCHE 911 GT3 CUP Chassis#:WP0ZZZ99ZKS198296 Sold for $240,800 2024 Gooding : Amelia Island | |
1920 Rolls-Royce 40/50 HP Silver Ghost Tourer by Rothschild et Fils Chassis#:69CW Sold for $237,190 2024 RM Sothebys : Paris | |
2002 Ferrari 575M Maranello Chassis#:ZFFBT55B000129504 Sold for $238,818 2024 RM Sothebys : Paris | |
1971 Plymouth Cuda Convertible Chassis#:bs27n1b268398 Sold for $239,250 2024 Mecum : Kissimmee | |
1963 Mercedes-Benz 230 SL 'Pagoda' Factory Development Car Chassis#:113.042.10.000009 Sold for $240,797 2023 RM Sothebys : Munich |
1957 BMW 503
• Additional valuation insight and sales data• History
• Specifications
• Image gallery
• Other BMW 503 model years