Remarkable Reasons The BMW 507 Roadster Remains A Timeless Icon

The BMW 507 Roadster was created to compete with British and Italian sports cars of the era. In the crucially important American market, the BMW 507 combined elegant styling with V8 performance. Its sleek aluminium body was designed by Albrecht von Goertz, blending classic proportions with modern flair. However, it struggled to find buyers.

Originally intended as a more affordable sports car to boost BMW’s sporting image, production costs soared due to its hand-crafted aluminium body and low-volume manufacturing. Pitched against the Mercedes-Benz 190 SL, it ended up costing far more. Despite a sophisticated suspension setup and a 150bhp 3.2-litre V8 engine, ultimately fewer than 250 found homes.

We saw this iconic 1957 BMW 507 Roadster at the 2025 Concours of Elegance held at Hampton Court Palace. This car was one of many that grabbed my attention. You can see much more Concours of Elegance content here, and videos on our YouTube Concours of Elegance playlist.

Chassis 70103 was completed on October 16, 1957, making it one of the earliest Series 2 models. Information from BMW Group Classic confirms it was first delivered in black, one of only 15 cars finished in that colour.

Owners Through the Decades

Helmut Müller of Oberstdorf owned the car from December 1957. It is not known when he sold it on or to whom it was sold, but the 507 Roadster was next purchased by Karl Heinz Oehler from Berlin. Oehler owned it from November 1966 to March 1967, before passing it on to Firma Sport Hölme, also in Berlin, until October 1968.

From then until June 1972, it belonged to the Rasthaus Hotel, owned by Günter and Anneliese Neef in Gütersloh. Original BMW service records confirm extensive work was carried out at the Munich factory in 1969 and 1971. This work involved many thousands of Deutsche Marks.

A Passionate Collector’s Dream

After that, it was acquired by American expatriate Patrick M Gould, whose residences included Rockport in Maine, San Remo in Italy, and Paris in France. Gould, a passionate automotive enthusiast, corresponded with BMW specialist Gottfried Liechti in Switzerland. He praised the 507 as ‘the most beautiful car ever built’ and received valuable advice on its care.

Between October and December 1972, the car underwent a comprehensive restoration at San Remo’s Autocarrozzeria Alfa. This required over 600 hours of work and cost approximately 2.1 million Lire. During this time, the car was repainted red, bearing an American plate from Maine.

Gould owned the car until December 1983, when it passed to his cousin in Lausanne, Switzerland, who kept it until 2019. It then passed to its current owner, who has undertaken a full restoration to its original black livery.

Specifications

Conclusion

The 1957 BMW 507 Roadster Series II stands as a shining reminder of what happens when artistry meets ambition. Though its production run was short and its sales struggled against rivals, the car’s sculpted aluminium body, free-revving V8, and undeniable elegance secured its place among the world’s most coveted classics.

Today, with fewer than 250 examples built, each restored model tells a story not only of rarity but of passion, craftsmanship, and timeless design. For collectors and enthusiasts alike, the 507 is more than just a car; it’s a rolling masterpiece. It continues to inspire admiration nearly seven decades on.

What do you think – is the BMW 507 the most beautiful roadster ever built? Would you pick it over its rival, the Mercedes-Benz 190 SL? And if you had the chance to own one, would you keep it original or customise it to your taste?

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