1957 BMW 507

The BMW 507 was conceived by American Max Hoffman, then the East Coast importer of European sports and luxury cars. Hoffman believed the roadster could slot in nicely between the relatively inexpensive Triumphs and MGs coming out of England, and the exclusive Mercedes 300SL.

A far cry from the motorcycle-engined Isetta, the 507 was based on the 502 sedan chassis and mechanicals, and it took its shape from designer Albrecht Goertz. Power came from a 3.2-litre aluminium alloy V-8. The OHV, pushrod unit breathed through a pair of Solex carburetters, produced 155 hp, and was mated to a ZF four-speed manual transmission. Top speed was rated at just over 120 mph.

All 507s were roadsters, though a steel removable hard top was optional. Even without the hard top in place, the 507 tipped the scales at 2,900 pounds, so its smooth looks belied its heft.

BMW was still a small manufacturer that relied on complex, hand-built designs, and while Hoffman envisioned selling the car for about $5,000, the final result was closer in price to $9,000—an astronomical sum in the mid-1950s. As a result, aspirations of producing of 5,000 per year evaporated and only 252 cars were built over a three-year run.

The BMW 507 was praised in period for good straight-line speed, and despite its weight and Alfin drum brakes rather than discs, the front double wishbones/torsion bar and live rear axle/torsion bar suspension made it respectable handler.

Front Girling disc brakes were available in later cars, but cost could never be reined in. Hoffman's dream to mass-market BMW in America would never come to fruition, though certainly the company would do very well later with its run of “Nieu Klasse” small sports sedans, the 1602 and 2002.