Goertz-styled 3.2-litre aluminium-V8 roadster — 252 units that nearly bankrupted BMW.
Designed by Albrecht von Goertz and produced from 1956 to 1959, the BMW 507 used a 3.2-litre aluminium OHV V8 producing approximately 150 PS, paired with a 4-speed manual, in an aluminium body over a shortened 502 saloon chassis. Hand-built construction and a target price set at $5,000 in the US that ballooned to over $9,000 contributed to BMW's near-collapse and limited production to just 252 examples.
Most cars were sold in the United States; notable owners included Elvis Presley, John Surtees and Hans Stuck.
BMW's most desirable classic, defining post-war aluminium roadster and a fixture at every major concours.
| Variant | Years | Production | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 507 Series I | 1956–1957 | — | Earlier dashboard and trim details. |
| 507 Series II | 1957–1959 | — | Revised interior; majority of production. |
Start with identity, paperwork and originality. For the BMW 507 Roadster, the strongest cars have continuous ownership history, matching numbers where applicable, original books and tools, factory build documentation and evidence of work by manufacturer-approved specialists. Original colour, matching-numbers status, factory hardtop, complete BMW Classic provenance and concours condition.
Aluminium V8 is robust but engine and gearbox parts are scarce; full mechanical restoration is realistic only with BMW Classic support. A proper pre-purchase inspection includes cold-start behaviour, ECU diagnostics and fault-code history (where applicable), leak-down or compression testing, underbody photography, suspension and chassis inspection, brake condition and a long enough road test to expose heat-related faults. Deferred maintenance on a car of this class is almost always more expensive than buying a better-sorted example.
Use a paint-depth gauge, lift access and a specialist familiar with the model's factory panel gaps and finish standards. Collector value is dramatically affected by structural repairs, refinished panels, poor paintwork and missing factory trim or option content. Documented cosmetic refresh is acceptable; concealed accident or fire damage must be priced severely.
Matching-numbers cars with BMW Classic certification, documented restoration history and continuous ownership records. Specification, colour, options and limited-build variants move values significantly. Buy the best-documented example in the most desirable specification you can justify, rather than a tired example of a rarer derivative that will need years of corrective work.
Regional ranges authored independently — each reflects its local market, not an FX conversion
Budget annually even if the car is used sparingly. Fluids age, tyres and date-coded rubber components must be replaced regardless of mileage, and stored cars need exercise. A documented maintenance rhythm protects both reliability and resale value.
BMW Classic and a small number of pre-war / 1950s specialists worldwide; restoration timescales measured in years. Before purchase, confirm parts availability for model-specific bodywork, electronics, gearbox and engine components. A discounted car waiting on unobtainable parts or a factory service slot is rarely a saving in collector ownership.
Each region quoted in its local currency — independent market readings, not FX conversions
The 507 sits in a stable, defined collector range. Auction results for matching-numbers cars are consistent in the $2.5m–$3m band; BMW Classic certification is decisive at concours level.
| Date | Auction | Car | Mileage | Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025-08-15 | Gooding & Company Pebble Beach | 1958 507 Series II | — | $2,755,000 Sold |
| 2024-08-16 | RM Sotheby's Monterey | 1957 507 Series I | — | $2,205,000 Sold |
Defining BMW classic, capped 252-unit production and consistent concours-level demand. Originality is the entire long-term thesis.
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