BMW 507 history: the V8 roadster that almost broke BMW

The BMW 507 is often called one of the most beautiful cars ever made. This 1950s roadster combined a light aluminium body with a V8 engine and was meant to win customers in America.

Yet the BMW 507 was so expensive to build that it lost money on every car. In this article we look at its design, its engine, its famous owners, why so few were made and how it still shapes BMW design today.

Why BMW built the 507

After the Second World War BMW was in a difficult position. Its factory in Eisenach was lost, and in Munich it built large saloons and small economy cars to survive.

The American importer Max Hoffman saw a market for a stylish European sports car in the United States. He encouraged BMW to build a roadster that could compete with cars such as the Mercedes-Benz 300 SL.

BMW agreed and created two models: the 503, a coupé and convertible, and the 507, a pure two-seat roadster. Both used the company's new V8 engine. The 507 was shown to the public in 1955 and production started in 1956.

The design of the BMW 507

The 507 was designed by Albrecht von Goertz, a German-born designer who worked in America. Hoffman introduced him to BMW, and his design was chosen for both the 503 and the 507.

The roadster has a long bonnet, a short tail and a low, flowing line. At the front, the wide kidney grille sits low between the round headlights, and a pair of vents on the sides add a sporty detail.

The body was shaped by hand from aluminium. That gave the car its elegance and light weight, but it also made each car slow and expensive to build. Many people still see the 507 as one of the purest shapes in the history of BMW.

Engine and performance

Under the bonnet sat a 3.2-litre V8 engine made largely from aluminium. In the 507 it produced around 150 PS, which was a lot for a road car of the 1950s.

The engine drove the rear wheels through a four-speed manual gearbox. Depending on the gearing, the 507 could reach a top speed of around 200 km/h or a little more, which made it one of the fastest cars of its time.

Early cars used drum brakes, and later cars received front disc brakes. The suspension used torsion bars and was tuned for comfortable, stable touring rather than hard racing.

Why the BMW 507 almost broke BMW

The 507 was planned as a car for thousands of American customers. In reality, the hand-built aluminium body and the small production run made it very expensive. The price ended up far higher than planned, and few customers were willing to pay it.

BMW lost money on each car. Together with weak sales of its large saloons, this helped push the company into a serious financial crisis at the end of the 1950s, when a takeover by a rival was even discussed.

Production ended in 1959 after only around 250 cars. BMW survived thanks to its shareholders, small cars such as the 700 and later the successful Neue Klasse saloons.

Famous owners of the BMW 507

Because so few were built, many 507s went to wealthy and famous buyers. The best known is Elvis Presley, who bought a white 507 while he was serving in the US Army in Germany.

The car later passed through other owners and was eventually found in poor condition. BMW Group Classic restored it over several years and showed it again in 2016.

Racing drivers such as John Surtees and Hans Stuck also owned 507s. Today the car is one of the most valuable classic BMWs, and well-documented examples sell for very large sums at auctions.

The legacy of the BMW 507

Even though it was a commercial failure, the 507 became a symbol of BMW style. Its long bonnet, short tail and side vents have influenced many later BMW roadsters.

The clearest tribute is the Z8 of the year 2000, a V8 roadster that openly referenced the 507. Our article on the BMW Z8 history tells that story. Small side vents and low, wide kidney grilles on other models also echo the classic design.

For BMW today, the 507 shows that beauty and engineering can make a car famous for decades, even when it was not a business success at the time. It remains one of the most admired cars in the BMW Group Classic collection.

BMW 507 at a glance

Item	Details
Production	1956–1959
Cars built	Around 250
Designer	Albrecht von Goertz
Body	Hand-shaped aluminium, two-seat roadster
Engine	3.2-litre aluminium V8
Power	Around 150 PS
Gearbox	Four-speed manual, rear-wheel drive
Famous owner	Elvis Presley

Frequently asked questions

How many BMW 507s were made?

Only around 250 cars were built between 1956 and 1959, which is why the 507 is so rare and valuable today.

Who designed the BMW 507?

The 507 was designed by Albrecht von Goertz, a German-born designer who worked in America.

What engine does the BMW 507 have?

A 3.2-litre V8 made largely from aluminium, producing around 150 PS and driving the rear wheels through a four-speed manual gearbox.

Did Elvis Presley own a BMW 507?

Yes. He bought a white 507 while serving in the US Army in Germany. BMW Group Classic later restored the car and showed it in 2016.

Why did the BMW 507 lose money?

The hand-built aluminium body and small production run made it far more expensive than planned, so few customers bought it and BMW lost money on each car.

Sources

• BMW Group Classic – BMW 507
• BMW Group – company history
• BMW Museum, Munich