Bohams Scottsdale 10th Anniversary Auction Star 1959 BMW 507 Series II Roadster Makes US$1,809,000

Bohams Scottsdale 10th Anniversary Auction Star 1959 BMW 507 Series II Roadster Makes US$1,809,000
A 1959 BMW 507 Series II Roadster sold at Bonhams 10th anniversary Scottsdale auction for US $1,809,000.
 
The first sale of the year seems to have got off to a great start using the new live format. Where people all around the world are able to connect to the auction virtually. The sell through rate was an impressive 78% suggesting that this is working.
 
The 507 is quite possible the most collectable BMW have made to date. The stunningly beautiful design by Albrecht Graf Goertz is eligible for the most prestigious events around the globe.
 
Aimed at the US market, but with a European origin being built in Germany. BMW started the development of the 507 in 1954. Max Hoffman the Austrian entrepreneur and New York car dealer persuaded BMW to make a rival to the Mercedes 300 SL.
A 1959 BMW 507 Series II Roadster sold at Bonhams 10th anniversary Scottsdale auction for US $1,809,000.
 
The first sale of the year seems to have got off to a great start using the new live format. Where people all around the world are able to connect to the auction virtually. The sell through rate was an impressive 78% suggesting that this is working.
 
The 507 is quite possible the most collectable BMW have made to date. The stunningly beautiful design by Albrecht Graf Goertz is eligible for the most prestigious events around the globe.
 
Aimed at the US market, but with a European origin being built in Germany. BMW started the development of the 507 in 1954. Max Hoffman the Austrian entrepreneur and New York car dealer persuaded BMW to make a rival to the Mercedes 300 SL.
 
The 507 powertrain of a 3.2 litre v8 came from the 502 V8 saloon. A wider and shorter chassis housed the mechanicals, but as this was robust the body was made from aluminium. this helped get the weight down to 1,280 kg. But with 150 bhp the performance was reasonable. 0 – 60 mph taking 11 seconds and a top speed of around 125 mph. Relaxed cruising was its forte though, the torque from the V8 available over a wide rev range.
 
It was an expensive car, coming in at $9,000, twice as much as a Ford Thunderbird. It was more expensive than a 300 SL too. However, it did get Mercedes worried enough to introduce the roadster version of the 300 SL.
 
But, even with those looks, the engine and the host of celebrities who would be seen with one they didn’t sell many. Only 253 cars were sold making this a very rare vehicle.
The 507 powertrain of a 3.2 litre v8 came from the 502 V8 saloon. A wider and shorter chassis housed the mechanicals, but as this was robust the body was made from aluminium. this helped get the weight down to 1,280 kg. But with 150 bhp the performance was reasonable. 0 – 60 mph taking 11 seconds and a top speed of around 125 mph. Relaxed cruising was its forte though, the torque from the V8 available over a wide rev range.
 
It was an expensive car, coming in at $9,000, twice as much as a Ford Thunderbird. It was more expensive than a 300 SL too. However, it did get Mercedes worried enough to introduce the roadster version of the 300 SL.
 
But, even with those looks, the engine and the host of celebrities who would be seen with one they didn’t sell many. Only 253 cars were sold making this a very rare vehicle.
1959 BMW 507 Series II Roadster 7

This 507 has been in the same ownership for nearly 30 years. The car appears to have been manufactured during 1958 and carries the chassis number 70205. It has the larger capacity of V8 engine for the second series and the revised dashboard and larger cockpit. The instruments coming from the factory in MPH and Fahrenheit identifying the US as the intended market from build and passing through Max Hoffman’s hands.
It was likely to have been painted in a silver blue colour as this can be found underneath the dash area. by the 1960s the car was owned by Mr. Shane O’Neil of RKO General, New York. The grandson of RKO founder, the renowned Hollywood film studio.

1959 BMW 507 Series II Roadster 7
1959 BMW 507 Series II Roadster MAIN
This 507 has been in the same ownership for nearly 30 years. The car appears to have been manufactured during 1958 and carries the chassis number 70205. It has the larger capacity of V8 engine for the second series and the revised dashboard and larger cockpit. The instruments coming from the factory in MPH and Fahrenheit. Identifying the US as the intended market from build and passing through Max Hoffman’s hands.
 
It was likely to have been painted in a silver blue colour as this can be found underneath the dash area. by the 1960s the car was owned by Mr. Shane O’Neil of RKO General, New York. The grandson of RKO founder, the renowned Hollywood film studio.
1959 BMW 507 Series II Roadster MAIN
1959 BMW 507 Series II Roadster 3
1959 BMW 507 Series II Roadster 4
1959 BMW 507 Series II Roadster 8

Thanks to Bonhams for the images.

Simon

Don’t forget to follow Jalopy on Facebook, Instagram and Pinterest.

[shared_counts]