The BMW 507 is now one of the most iconic cars ever made by the German automaker. These days they tend to sell for millions of dollars, and some of them have very interesting backgrounds. Today, we will take a closer look at the development of 507 and why it has not become the business success the company initially relied on
Without the efforts of a key figure, Max Hoffman, 507 would not be possible. As early as the 1950s, the American market was completely different from what we know today. Not only is the car to be sold painted with landscape, but it also depends on when the process takes place. Dealers are very scarce, especially for European automakers. Trying to sell European sports cars is also a tricky business
People like Max Hoffman make themselves very useful there. They understand the market and can sell very unique cars to the masses, such as luxury, sporty, convertible cruisers like the BMW 507. After seeing the success of the 300 SL Gullwing in the United States, Hoffman decided to try to persuade BMW to create a competitor for it. The goal is simple: good-looking, fun to drive, easy-to-sell at around $5,000
The Price Of The BMW 507
BMW created the 507 and met almost all standards. However, the Germans exceeded the asking price. To make the car profitable, BMW had to ask for about $9,000 instead of the $5,000 suggested by Hoffman, so things really got worse. Hoffman withdrew from the deal, saying that he could not sell at this price, and BMW’s efforts to sell cars through its own suppliers were futile. As a result, BMW almost went bankrupt in the 1950s and was almost bought out by rival Daimler-Benz
The BMW 507 Is Powerful Car
If Hoffman knows one thing about American sports car fans, it is that they like powerful engines. The 3.2-liter V-8 engine received by the 507 has 150 horsepower and a four-speed ZF gearbox. The overhead valve V-8 is BMW's first V-8 engine. Performance adjustments to the 507 include a polished combustion chamber surface, a compression ratio of 7.8:1, a high-lift camshaft and an updated ignition advance curve
Most of the 507 have convertible soft tops, but fortunately, there are optional removable hard tops on 11 cars. The 507 suspension system assembled by the best BMW technicians in Bavaria is equipped with front anti-roll bars, double wishbone, front and rear torsion bars and Alfin drum brakes (later replaced by Girling brakes)
BMW 507 Is The car of Popular figures
Elvis Presley was so impressed with the BMW 507 sports car that he bought two copies during his service in Germany. According to reports, the king gave the gift to Ursula Andress, the co-star of his "Happy Journey to Acapulco" (1963), whose ownership lasted 15 years Other notable 507 buyers include artist Fred Astaire, Formula One drivers Hans Stuck and John Surtees, Jun Shi King Tantin II, French actor Alain Delon (Alain Delon), and ultimately F1 overlord Bernie Ecclestone
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