1957 BMW 507 Series II Roadster
- Engine
- Dual-carburetted V8
Chassis 70134 is a BMW 507 Series II roadster, one of 252 built between 1956 and 1959 and among just 34 exported to the United States. Bodied in lightweight alloy to a design by Count Albrecht Goertz, it is believed to have been sold new through Hoffman Motors of New York and passed through Hollywood and Mississippi ownership before entering the collection of prominent American BMW enthusiast William Young in 1985 — remarkably the same car he had admired as a young man in Jackson, Mississippi. After decades as the centrepiece of Young's 30-plus-car BMW collection, the car received its first comprehensive restoration, during which a glove-compartment panel bearing what appears to be Goertz's own signature was preserved.
Ownership
- —Auction saleSold €1,996,250 (≈ $2.2M)
- → 1985Private saleOldtimer Garagepartial documentation
Well-regarded Swiss classic-car specialist who offered the car for sale via an advertisement in Road & Track magazine.
- 1985 → 2013Private saleWilliam Youngfull documentation
Colorado-based businessman who purchased the car without an in-person inspection after seeing it advertised; it proved to be the same car he had admired years earlier. The 507 became the centrepiece of his collection of over 30 significant classic BMWs and was shown at various club events and a concours during his tenure.
- 2013 → 2014-03-01Private saleTexas-based dealerpartial documentation
Intermediary dealer from whom the consignor subsequently purchased the car.
- 2014-03-01 →Private saleConsignorpartial documentation
Commissioned a comprehensive restoration to factory-original specification, during which a glove-compartment panel bearing what appears to be Count Goertz's signature was preserved.
- Date unknownFactory deliveryHoffman Motorspartial documentation
New York dealership reportedly responsible for the original retail sale of this example; basis is rumour rather than confirmed documentation.
- Date unknownAcquisition unknownHollywood producerpartial documentation
Alleged first private owner; identity unconfirmed and noted only as rumour in the catalogue.
- Date unknownAcquisition unknownArchitect in Jackson, Mississippipartial documentation
Owner during the car's time in Jackson; it was while the car was in this custodian's hands that William Young first encountered it.
- Date unknownAcquisition unknownFirst Pennsylvania ownernone documentation
One of two successive owners in Pennsylvania during the 1980s; no further details provided.
- Date unknownAcquisition unknownSecond Pennsylvania ownernone documentation
Second of two successive owners in Pennsylvania during the 1980s; no further details provided.
Competition
- 20112011 Santa Fe Concorso
Car was shown in unrestored condition during William Young's period of ownership.
Maintenance & restoration
- —Restoration
Full restoration to the car's original factory specification, described as the most significant refurbishment in the car's history. During the work, a glove-compartment panel bearing what appears to be Goertz's signature was removed and preserved.
Commissioned by the consignor; described as recently completed at time of cataloguing.
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