BMW 507 Roadster Series II: A Bavarian Masterpiece

Few cars have captured the elegance and romance of 1950s sports cars as distinctly as the BMW 507. Created at a crucial moment in BMW’s history, the 507 was conceived as a sophisticated roadster intended to restore the German marque to the forefront of the post-war luxury sports-car market.

The idea was driven by American importer Max Hoffman, who recognised a demand for an elegant European roadster positioned between the Porsche 356 Speedster and the Mercedes-Benz 300 SL. For the bodywork, BMW turned to Count Albrecht von Goertz, who created one of the most recognisable silhouettes of the era. Its long, flowing lines, low driving position, distinctive kidney grille and sculpted side vents resulted in a design that remains remarkably contemporary.

Beneath its aluminium bodywork was a 3.2-litre V8 engine producing around 150 horsepower. For its time, the 507 combined performance with a driving experience focused on refinement rather than outright speed. With a top speed of approximately 205 km/h, it was an exceptionally sophisticated grand touring roadster for its era.

Despite its highly positive reception, the 507 proved to be a challenging commercial project for BMW. Production costs escalated and the final price was considerably higher than originally intended, severely limiting its potential customer base. Just 252 examples were produced between 1956 and 1959, with 218 belonging to the Series II specification. Its rarity would later become a defining part of its collector appeal.

This particular 1957 example is one of those 218 Series II cars. Completed by BMW in October 1957, it spent its early years in the United States before returning to Europe and entering private collections in the Netherlands and Germany. Between 2014 and 2015, it underwent a comprehensive restoration by Martini Garage in Germany, with the total work reportedly costing approximately €350,000.

Today, the car is presented in Graphite Grey Metallic with a beige leather interior and a contrasting Feather White hardtop. The combination further highlights the clean lines of the bodywork and the delicate balance between understated luxury and sporting character that defines the 507.