1957 BMW 507

Prior to World War II, BMW operated in Bayerische, Germany, and produced mostly motorcycles. They later relocated to Munich, and by 1950, their first postwar car debuted at the Frankfurt Auto Show. This was the 501, sporting a 2.0-liter six-cylinder engine. By 1954, its stablemate arrived, the 502, with a 2.6-liter V8 producing 100 horsepower.

In 1955, BMW added new models, the 503 and the spectacular 507 - introduced at the Frankfurt Auto Show in 1955. A car which 'looks like its doing 100, sitting still.' The 507 was BMW's first sports car offering since the 328. Styled by Albrecht Goertz, the 507 offered a sleek, svelte, beautiful two-seater to a lucky few. Only 253 were produced between 1956 and 1959. The 150 horsepower V8 used dual Zenith carburetors, wore aluminum cylinder heads, had dual exhaust and a four-speed gearbox. There was a great deal of aluminum used in the engine, with the crankcase, manifolds, valve covers, side plates, sump, water pump and other castings all being made of the lightweight alloy. A BMW 507 sprints to 60 mph in nine seconds and tops out over 120 mph. It had drum brakes all around, with optional front discs, hidden by distinctive and attractive pressed steel wheels.

New, a 507 cost $10,000, and reportedly BMW lost $1,000 for each car sold. Thankfully, the accountants weren't in charge at BMW.