Austin Healys we’re better looking, cheaper, lighter, and had about the same power. My opinion is that BMW got everything wrong. It was never even close to the 300 SL.
I was looking at several investments years ago -1) a piece of real estate, 2) building and apartment complex, or 3) A BMW 507 which I could get for $250K. I ended up buying the land, and while it has gone up in value, the BMW is now worth 4-6 times what I would have paid for it.
You can't blame 507 for nearly bankrupting BMW in the late 50's. Their 501 series sedans were too expensive and unprofitable too. One specialty car doesn't nearly bankrupt a healthy car company.
Love to have been in on the planning of this car; beautiful but terribly anemic where power was concerned; very expensive in its day for what was a "niche" marque.
My 88 year old father-in-law served in the army with Elvis in Germany. Elvis bought a BMW 507 while there. He drove my father-in-law, who is a piano player, to a General's house for what he called a musical gathering. Elvis told my father-in- law that he hated singing for the "Brass". Elvis had the car painted red. I saw sometime ago online that it was purchased and brought to the US to be returned to its original white.
When I first saw the engine in a video long ago, I always thought it was the most American looking European V8 engine. Granted, I haven't the foggiest idea of how old European V8 engines look like, since most European manufacturers made inline engines, with the occasional boxer engine. But it's a sweet looking engine.
You offer a highly interesting analysis. For myself, THIS vehicle was more of a halo car for BMW. It should be noted that Max Hoffman sold plenty of Mercedes sports cars. BMW could not be faulted for thinking Hoffman could do the same for them.
Agreed Hoffman likely would have been spot on with his prediction for this car if BMW could sell it near the $5,000 price point like he initially wanted to!
Sadly from 2030 on all combustion cars, trucks and busses including classics will be banned from public streets in entire EU and Scandinavia :-( In Germany the Green Peoples Party gave order to shorten fuel supply from 2025 on by reducing petrol stations to only one state operated central gas station per city. From 2027 on in the EU certain car spare parts will be banned too....as exhaust systems, turbo chargers and even some engine and gearbox oils...California and New York will do the same from 2027 on.... So no investments should be done in oil burning cars any longer....They even created a new kind of crime here, called BABVVO crime.
Let us not get carried away....like mine host. The BMW 507 looked like a grade school kid with goofy teeth. It was laughable, but like that kid had charm and parentage, which gave it a second chance.
I think most people would firmly disagree with you here, You are actually the first person who I have heard say they don't like the way it looks. But everyone has their own tastes!
These cars are beautiful. I first saw one in Bad Toelz, Bavaria, Germany and was amazed at the grace and beauty of the styling. That was in '64. It is still as modern and stylish as the day it was drawn on the drafting board. A monument to classic auto design. Few cars age as well. Thanks for the video.
Indeed. Very nice from the front, unremarkable from the back. Nice interior. But in that era there were many gorgeous (but expensive) cars. The 507 hardly stood out - and was not worth the money at the time.
Yeah I’m confused by that weight. It should have weighed much less unless I’m missing something regarding the materials used underneath. Idk seems about three hundred pounds too heavy for the dimensions but maybe you got an idea….?
BMW, being a German brand, has me curious as to what the 507 might've looked like if they would've implemented a Bauhaus approach. I know that was already relatively "outdated" at that time, being that the school had been long closed, but it still makes me wonder what a BMW x Bauhaus-centric car would've looked like.
As a Hot Wheels / Matchbox collector, with around 1,000 models currently in my collection, I am so glad that Hot Wheels made a version of the BMW 507. I have one and had my red version sitting on my desk while I watched your piece on the 507. I believe this model comes in silver as well and I plan to add that color to my growing collection. B-HW/MB Collector-Gardner
Great channel. Would love to see this you do a retrospective on the first E26 M1 car. At the time of this postingin '23.. Current BMW design language makes the E65 comparable in beauty to 507😬😬😬
Another one was produced after 2 years R&d in 93-95, The BMW Z8 is a roadster produced by German automotive manufacturer BMW from 1998 to 2003. And what once sold for a prince's sum now goes for a King's Ransom and I just do not see the point of it all.
The Mona lisa! That's exactly what it is lol. I think that had a different grille treatment had been used a lot more sales would've resulted. I don't think its beautiful, at least the front. Anyone agree?
Such a nice car, but horrible execution. Makes one wonder at what point in the development did they finally realize that they were way out of their intended price range? Also have to wonder if they were even paying attention to the performance metrics? Mazda Miata did it better...
The 507 came several years before the California, which I consider to be the best-looking conventional front-engined road going Ferrari ever made. They say that imitation is the sincerest form of flattery.
One of the few BMWs that I would classify as 'gorgeous'. I'll quantify that. The design of this car seems to express joy in motoring as an expression of emotive, conscious pleasure for the sake of making it pleasurable. I rarely see "joy" as a design element in BMW's designs. Purpose? yes. Excellence? Yes, Joy? Not commonly.
I have enjoyed every one of Your videos man, great work on digging up these lovely pieces of automotive art! Are you strictly creating content about production cars? I remember when I was young I saw that Chrysler 300 hemi c concept and I just drooled. I'd love to see something about that, not a whole lot of information about it out there I don't think.
The 507 was an incredible roadster. It almost killed BMW but in the end it actually saved BMW. Definitely one of the most beautiful cars ever produced.
There was a doctor in the Harrisburg PA area that had two of these in period: he used to run them at the Hershey Hillclimb. I remember one year he ran Goodyear Stock Car Specials on them. Twice the standard tread width! Wonder where they are today and if the present owners know Ol' Doc ran them to within an inch of their lives?
Why not both? :P I'm biased both ways. I've owned a Shelby and a BMW. Neither of the cars we're speaking of, lol! But both hold special place in my heart.
I like the Cobra, but the 1956 Maserati A6GCS Frua Spyder is absolutely stunning. The design resembles the Cobra, even has side pipes! . Siata 208S was unveiled in 1953 looks a lot like a early Cobra and the actual forerunner the AC Ace of course.
Can we take a moment to question why the Tiger Sunbeam wasn't more popular? In the mid-sixties, Shelby makes a British open-topped Roadster with an American V8 and becomes one of the most recognizable cars in all of history; In the mid-sixties Tiger makes a British open-topped Roadster with an American V8 and virtually no one has heard of them.
One of the best looking cars of all time, rarely does anyone talk about this little beauty.
Totally agree, absolutely stunning car!
Very nice car, I'd like to see a video on the bmw e31
Austin Healys we’re better looking, cheaper, lighter, and had about the same power. My opinion is that BMW got everything wrong. It was never even close to the 300 SL.
Such a lovely car, a V8 and a manual transmission, BMW at its finest. Happy wealthy owners!
It’s a beautiful car. I love the Z8 too. But like it’s predecessor was steep. I have a 2004 Z4 whose styling turns heads and most of all, affordable.
The z4s are great looking, I love the Z3s too
Wow, you could run some really shitty fuel in that thing with that compression ratio!
LOL true
The gassoline was lower octane back then, so such low compression ratios were the norm.
Wow, beautiful car that I’ve never seen before. Just discovered your channel. Great content! Thank you. Subscribed.
Such a pretty car! And thank you for watching and subscribing!
For me the 507 BMW is the HOLY GRAIL of collecting!!! 🤠👍🇩🇪
I would say top 10 prettiest cars ever for sure!
That thing looks like a 50 studebaker had a baby with a 1st gen vette
I was looking at several investments years ago -1) a piece of real estate, 2) building and apartment complex, or 3) A BMW 507 which I could get for $250K. I ended up buying the land, and while it has gone up in value, the BMW is now worth 4-6 times what I would have paid for it.
I got to work on one of these in the early 80s in a bodyshop. I'd never heard of them before, and fell in live with it. I really wanted to keep it....
Thanks for your work. I am really enjoying your channel. Keep it up!
Thanks Bill, glad you enjoy it!
Elvis's was white, but he hadda paint it red because girl kept writing on it in lipstick. Sucked to be him.....
What a tough life LOL
@@rarecars3336 Haha right? 😁
Camaro wheelwells came from 507?! Better look again! 2:58
You can't blame 507 for nearly bankrupting BMW in the late 50's. Their 501 series sedans were too expensive and unprofitable too. One specialty car doesn't nearly bankrupt a healthy car company.
Love to have been in on the planning of this car; beautiful but terribly anemic where power was concerned; very expensive in its day for what was a "niche" marque.
My 88 year old father-in-law served in the army with Elvis in Germany. Elvis bought a BMW 507 while there. He drove my father-in-law, who is a piano player, to a General's house for what he called a musical gathering. Elvis told my father-in- law that he hated singing for the "Brass". Elvis had the car painted red. I saw sometime ago online that it was purchased and brought to the US to be returned to its original white.
The 507 did bankrupt BMW. They almost got bought out by Daimler Benz but the Quant Family bought them...
It's attractive for sure but 1 of the best looking? Not in my opinion
When I first saw the engine in a video long ago, I always thought it was the most American looking European V8 engine.
Granted, I haven't the foggiest idea of how old European V8 engines look like, since most European manufacturers made inline engines, with the occasional boxer engine. But it's a sweet looking engine.
You offer a highly interesting analysis. For myself, THIS vehicle was more of a halo car for BMW. It should be noted that Max Hoffman sold plenty of Mercedes sports cars. BMW could not be faulted for thinking Hoffman could do the same for them.
Agreed Hoffman likely would have been spot on with his prediction for this car if BMW could sell it near the $5,000 price point like he initially wanted to!
Hoffman also imported VW Beetles with custom items. Pretty rsre, too.
I've seen Elvis'... Hurrah for me I suppose..
Sadly from 2030 on all combustion cars, trucks and busses including classics will be banned from public streets in entire EU and Scandinavia :-( In Germany the Green Peoples Party gave order to shorten fuel supply from 2025 on by reducing petrol stations to only one state operated central gas station per city. From 2027 on in the EU certain car spare parts will be banned too....as exhaust systems, turbo chargers and even some engine and gearbox oils...California and New York will do the same from 2027 on.... So no investments should be done in oil burning cars any longer....They even created a new kind of crime here, called BABVVO crime.
Sadly China rules most politicians@DArnold6895
Let us not get carried away....like mine host. The BMW 507 looked like a grade school kid with goofy teeth. It was laughable, but like that kid had charm and parentage, which gave it a second chance.
I think most people would firmly disagree with you here, You are actually the first person who I have heard say they don't like the way it looks. But everyone has their own tastes!
I was very shocked to see one of these show up to a Cars and Coffee in Dayton Ohio.
Wow that is a wild cars and coffee spot
These cars are beautiful. I first saw one in Bad Toelz, Bavaria, Germany and was amazed at the grace and beauty of the styling. That was in '64. It is still as modern and stylish as the day it was drawn on the drafting board. A monument to classic auto design. Few cars age as well. Thanks for the video.
A true timeless design
One of the most beautiful cars ever made?! Well I guess styling is subjective. 2:19
Indeed. Very nice from the front, unremarkable from the back. Nice interior. But in that era there were many gorgeous (but expensive) cars. The 507 hardly stood out - and was not worth the money at the time.
Pretty car but why 3000lbs? Too heavy.
Yeah I’m confused by that weight. It should have weighed much less unless I’m missing something regarding the materials used underneath. Idk seems about three hundred pounds too heavy for the dimensions but maybe you got an idea….?
This is crazy. I saw the Hot Wheel car in Target today, and now I see this in my RUclips feed. I didn't do a search on it either.
It is destiny!
BMW, being a German brand, has me curious as to what the 507 might've looked like if they would've implemented a Bauhaus approach. I know that was already relatively "outdated" at that time, being that the school had been long closed, but it still makes me wonder what a BMW x Bauhaus-centric car would've looked like.
As a Hot Wheels / Matchbox collector, with around 1,000 models currently in my collection, I am so glad that Hot Wheels made a version of the BMW 507. I have one and had my red version sitting on my desk while I watched your piece on the 507. I believe this model comes in silver as well and I plan to add that color to my growing collection. B-HW/MB Collector-Gardner
Great channel. Would love to see this you do a retrospective on the first E26 M1 car. At the time of this postingin '23.. Current BMW design language makes the E65 comparable in beauty to 507😬😬😬
Another one was produced after 2 years R&d in 93-95, The BMW Z8 is a roadster produced by German automotive manufacturer BMW from 1998 to 2003. And what once sold for a prince's sum now goes for a King's Ransom and I just do not see the point of it all.
Sounds a bit sluggish. I could imagine a few adjustments that could get that beautiful car competitive with the Mercedes gull wing
Take a shot every time he says "507" where a simple "it," "its," or "the car" would suffice. :P
The Mona lisa! That's exactly what it is lol. I think that had a different grille treatment had been used a lot more sales would've resulted. I don't think its beautiful, at least the front. Anyone agree?
Those lines..... mmm beauty , they would be a logistics nightmare to do in aluminum. But gorgeous
I have an e46 and certainly have done my fair share of research into sports cars and history, but somehow this one eluded me! Thanks!
One of the best looking sports cars ever made.
Such a nice car, but horrible execution. Makes one wonder at what point in the development did they finally realize that they were way out of their intended price range? Also have to wonder if they were even paying attention to the performance metrics? Mazda Miata did it better...
Such a beautiful car, it has a look of the Ferrari 250 gt California
It does have some similar lines!
The 507 came several years before the California, which I consider to be the best-looking conventional front-engined road going Ferrari ever made. They say that imitation is the sincerest form of flattery.
@corvairjim1 just shows what a groundbreaking car the BMW 507 was a long way from their Isetta
This is a lovely roadster
Agreed!
Could get a Ferrari 250 swb for same price, or less
One of the few BMWs that I would classify as 'gorgeous'.
I'll quantify that. The design of this car seems to express joy in motoring as an expression of emotive, conscious pleasure for the sake of making it pleasurable. I rarely see "joy" as a design element in BMW's designs. Purpose? yes. Excellence? Yes, Joy? Not commonly.
This does look like a happy joyful car I would agree
I have enjoyed every one of Your videos man, great work on digging up these lovely pieces of automotive art! Are you strictly creating content about production cars? I remember when I was young I saw that Chrysler 300 hemi c concept and I just drooled. I'd love to see something about that, not a whole lot of information about it out there I don't think.
Mainly production cars but I am not opposed to making content on concept cars either!
Their motorcycles kept them alive
The Austin Healey 3000 was better looking and performed as well with an inline 6..
I agree, But BMW, a firm known for clinical looking designs, produced this. Remarkable.
That bmw is a beautiful ❤️ car
The 507 was an incredible roadster. It almost killed BMW but in the end it actually saved BMW. Definitely one of the most beautiful cars ever produced.
There was a doctor in the Harrisburg PA area that had two of these in period: he used to run them at the Hershey Hillclimb. I remember one year he ran Goodyear Stock Car Specials on them. Twice the standard tread width! Wonder where they are today and if the present owners know Ol' Doc ran them to within an inch of their lives?
Beautiful
Although it’s a beautiful car. The Cobra to me is the most beautiful car ever made!
Why not both? :P I'm biased both ways. I've owned a Shelby and a BMW. Neither of the cars we're speaking of, lol! But both hold special place in my heart.
I like the Cobra, but the 1956 Maserati A6GCS Frua Spyder is absolutely stunning. The design resembles the Cobra, even has side pipes! . Siata 208S was unveiled in 1953 looks a lot like a early Cobra and the actual forerunner the AC Ace of course.
Can we take a moment to question why the Tiger Sunbeam wasn't more popular? In the mid-sixties, Shelby makes a British open-topped Roadster with an American V8 and becomes one of the most recognizable cars in all of history; In the mid-sixties Tiger makes a British open-topped Roadster with an American V8 and virtually no one has heard of them.
Sunbeam tiger is a super cool car, will absolutely do a video on it at somepoint!
@@rarecars3336
Awesome, keep up the good work!
Think of how they were advertised
@@bbb462cid
I wasn't alive in the era, so I've no idea. =P
@@tristangillis7365 Are you actually thinking you're getting a pass for the "I wasn't born yet so I don't know" baloney?
Elvis owned one.
2
He was stationed in Germany with the US ARMY
It is too slow.
The 507 is the only BMW I would own but I’m not a millionaire so I can’t afford it.
The most beautiful BMW ever made, and nothing else they’ve made before or since can get within 100 miles of it
Have you seen the original M1?
@@bumpyroad3251 I have, and it doesn’t have the curves the 507 does