100 Video Special: BMW 507 (HD)

Description

The BMW 507 was a roadster produced by BMW from 1956 to 1959. It is thought by many to be one of the most beautiful automobiles ever produced. Development The BMW 507 was the brainchild of BMW importer Max Hoffman, who in 1954 persuaded the BMW management to produce a roadster version of the BMW 502 that could compete with Jaguar and Mercedes-Benz sports cars. Hoffman pushed for designer Count Albrecht von Goertz, who also designed the contemporary BMW 503, as the designer, over existing designs by Ernst Loof, whose sketches Hoffman felt were not commercially viable. Goertz was hired by BMW in November 1954. BMW engineer Fritz Friedler was assigned to design the mechanical package, using existing components wherever possible. The 507 made its debut at the Frankfurt Auto Show in September 1955. Production began in November 1956. Max Hoffman intended the 507 to sell for about $5000 US, which he believed would allow a production run of 5000 units a year. Instead, high production costs pushed the cost in Germany to DM 26500, driving the US price initially to $9000 and ultimately $10500. Intended to revive BMW's sporting image, the 507 instead took BMW to the edge of bankruptcy -- the company's losses for 1959 were DM 15 million. The company lost money on each 507 built, and production was terminated early in 1959. Only 252 were built, plus two prototypes. Fortunately for the company, an infusion of capital from Herbert Quandt and the launch of new, cheaper models (the BMW 700 <b>...</b>

Keywords

1955, BMW, 507HD

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