Last Call: The BMW 507 doesn’t get enough appreciation

Colby Buchanan

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There are a lot of drop-dead gorgeous cars that came out of the late 50s but I feel like the 507 Roadster doesn’t get enough love. It looks and sounds great but the issue is that they are just so rare you hardly ever see them. So few of them were made too which is a real shame because I love this type of styling. I always get excited when I see one of these at a show or on the road since it’s such a rarity. On a side note, the Z8 in the early 2000s which took many design cues from the 507 also wasn’t the worst looking car to come from BMW either.

Although if you made me choose between one of these and a C1 Vette, I might still pick the Vette. What about you?

https://twitter.com/GBAutoCouture/status/1261280184092758017?s=20

Last Call indicates the end of Hooniverse’s broadcast day. It’s meant to be an open forum for anyone and anything. Thread jacking is not only accepted, but it’s also encouraged.

About

Colby Buchanan

Colby Buchanan

My name is Colby Buchanan and I love all things car-related all the way from rusted 240sx’s to McLaren Senna’s and of course I have a soft spot for American Muscle. You can spot me in my bone stock ’06 350z named MackenZ.

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25 responses to “Last Call: The BMW 507 doesn’t get enough appreciation”

  1. Sjalabais Avatar
    Sjalabais

    Was the 507 one of the vehicles coming into existence after the Corvette was presented? There’s another very rare convertible that, glassfiber like the Corvette, wasn’t deemed good enough and never made it to mass production:
    https://i.ibb.co/gJv7zsy/5-1.jpg

    Reply
  2. Batshitbox Avatar
    Batshitbox

    It’s my lucky day!

    https://uploads.disquscdn.com/images/abf1ce1349aadd293c338b15da480e662fed0f15283e010aa553984ea009e4a2.jpg

    Reply
    1. Batshitbox Avatar
      Batshitbox

      Not just because of today’s Econoline milestone, but I’m batting for the humble BMW 700. The 507 is definitely gorgeous. I, too, wish people saw more of them. There’s just something that tickles me about the 700. Oddly, I’ve seen a couple 507s and never seen a 700, so it’s got scarcity appeal.

      This long wheelbase coupe is a honey. The sedans with the larger rear windows can be a bit boxy.

      https://uploads.disquscdn.com/images/a22b5b07a766874d8a7e01a5045d2b8efa6467760e84c3c5ae8d829fee70a0af.jpg

      Reply
    2. Batshitbox Avatar
      Batshitbox

      Not just because of today’s Econoline milestone, but I’m batting for the humble BMW 700. The 507 is definitely gorgeous. I, too, wish people saw more of them. There’s just something that tickles me about the 700. Oddly, I’ve seen a couple 507s and never seen a 700, so it’s got scarcity appeal.

      This long wheelbase coupe is a honey. The sedans with the larger rear windows can be a bit boxy.

      https://uploads.disquscdn.com/images/a22b5b07a766874d8a7e01a5045d2b8efa6467760e84c3c5ae8d829fee70a0af.jpg

      Reply
    3. 0A5599 Avatar
      0A5599

      You should have taken the picture at 77 mph with the battery only managing 7 volts and the oil pressure at 7 psi.

      Reply
  3. Sjalabais Avatar
    Sjalabais

    Was the 507 one of the vehicles coming into existence after the Corvette was presented? There’s another very rare convertible that, glassfiber like the Corvette, wasn’t deemed good enough and never made it to mass production:
    https://i.ibb.co/gJv7zsy/5-1.jpg

    Reply
    1. outback_ute Avatar
      outback_ute

      Saab!

      507’s get plenty of appreciation when they sell. Plus there aren’t that many cars that have had a modern version made, not sure if you’d need to take off your shoes and socks to make a list.

      Reply
      1. Sjalabais Avatar
        Sjalabais

        Very close, Volvo P1900.
        https://i.ibb.co/GvqwDyp/5-2.jpg

        Reply
        1. Zentropy Avatar
          Zentropy

          I love classic Volvos, but I always thought that car was overwhelmingly bland (with the exception of the goldfish mouth, which was unattractive). The 1800 that followed was exponentially better looking, and I mentally kick myself for not buying one years ago when the prices were low. I literally walked away from one because the guy wouldn’t come down $500. Stupid, stupid. Though in truth, I’d rather have an Amazon anyway.

          Reply
          1. Sjalabais Avatar
            Sjalabais

            You’re right, it was a decent choice to let this remain a prototype. But, with time, and as rare as it is, it is a great collectible.

        2. outback_ute Avatar
          outback_ute

          Oops I must have conflated that and the Saab Sonnet, which I knew it wasn’t.

          Isn’t the Sport/P1900 rarer than the 507? Actually because Google exists I can answer my own question; nearly 4 times as rare, only 68 built.

          Reply
    2. longrooffan Avatar
      longrooffan

      Spotted at the Winter Park Concours.

      https://uploads.disquscdn.com/images/8b625515402eddb8203bb87ab507d64d2d700f002094497d293e2cb822b0120b.jpg

      Reply
  4. GTXcellent Avatar
    GTXcellent

    I don’t know if you can make the argument that multimillion dollar cars aren’t appreciated.

    Reply
  5. Zentropy Avatar
    Zentropy

    Is that even a competition? If you literally gave me a C1 Corvette, I would sell it tomorrow and buy something else. I probably wouldn’t even drive it first.

    The 507 is gorgeous, and even better with the hardtop.
    https://www.premierfinancialservices.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/08/1958_BMW_507_Series_II-09.jpg

    Reply
    1. Sjalabais Avatar
      Sjalabais

      Hi, this is The Enthusiast Police. Your license has been revoked for stipulating that you wouldn’t even drive a free sports car. Please stand in the Nihilist Corner for a reasonably unpleasant amount of minutes.

      Reply
      1. Zentropy Avatar
        Zentropy

        Ha! My apologies, but I’ve never been a fan of Corvettes. They’re one of those cars that don’t even register on my radar at shows. I would definitely take a C2 for a spin before selling it, but I can’t think of any Vette I’d want to own.

        Reply
        1. Sjalabais Avatar
          Sjalabais

          The funny thing is that I even agree – the goldchain-on-curly-hair-factor is too high. But I would hoon anything free. Corolla? Check. Caterpillar? Check. Corvette? Check.

          Reply
          1. mdharrell Avatar
            mdharrell

            I once turned down a free Yugo and, despite the occasional wistful reflection, I remain convinced that I made the right call. A significant factor in this case was that it was about 500 miles away.

            If it helps in the rehabilitation of my reputation, I have subsequently raced one.

          2. Lokki Avatar
            Lokki

            To be fair, there was nothing wrong with the Yugo that a complete redesign, use of better materials, and construction in a different factory using trained workers under decent management, couldn’t have fixed improved.

          3. mdharrell Avatar
            mdharrell

            I also own two Austins, so I find your words incomprehensible.

  6. Zentropy Avatar
    Zentropy

    That’s gorgeous.

    Reply
  7. smalleyxb122 Avatar
    smalleyxb122

    I came here to dispute the headline. The 507 is adored. The more I thought about it, I began to agree. It’s not that it isn’t loved, but that it isn’t thought of or mentioned as often as many of its contemporaries. It’s every bit as pretty and noteworthy as any of them.

    Reply
  8. outback_ute Avatar
    outback_ute

    Looking at the history it wasn’t luck, Max Hoffman who had instigated the project didn’t like what BMW had come up with on their own, and suggested von Goertz.

    Surely Hoffman was one of the most important figures in the automotive industry, also responsible for the 300SL, 356 Speedster, Giulietta Spider as well as distributing VW and Jaguar

    Reply
  9. longrooffan Avatar
    longrooffan

    Alas, while greatly appreciated, this 507 is the only one this olelongrooffan will ever have in my livery.

    https://uploads.disquscdn.com/images/4b3a86b99fa9a9e96bd1e1999d8ebc6d68fa39a21a5a134436418910b7833b87.jpg

    Reply
    1. Sjalabais Avatar
      Sjalabais

      It’s in great company!

      Reply