1958 BMW 507 Series II
- Engine
- 3.2L V8, 150 bhp
- Colour
- Anthracite grey metallic ('Grigio Anthrazit Metallic')
Chassis 70140 is a 1958 BMW 507 Series II roadster finished in Graphit, delivered new through the Italian BMW concession in Rome. Owned for more than five decades by Italian enthusiast Giannantonio Panigoni, it retains its original engine and chassis, features a period Becker Brescia radio and an aluminium hardtop, and carries documentation including correspondence with BMW and a letter from the restorer Giancarlo Cappa. The car has participated in multiple rallies and public events during Panigoni's long stewardship.
Ownership
- —Auction saleSold €2,030,000 (≈ $2.23M)
- 1958-06-04 → 1959-06-16Factory deliveryAlessandro Paolini, Casa dell'Automobili, Romefull documentation
Italian BMW dealer who took initial delivery of the car; served as the first recipient in the ownership chain.
- 1959-06-16 → 1965Private saleProfessor Luigi Beltramettifull documentation
Active early user of the car; service records confirm approximately 5,000 km covered by April 1960. Owned for roughly six years before passing it on.
- 1965 → 1967Private saleGiannantonio Panigonipartial documentation
First stint of ownership before briefly transferring the car to a close friend. Period correspondence with BMW documents his hands-on approach, including a brake upgrade and requests for mechanical components.
- 1967 → 1971Private saleFranco Zilianipartial documentation
Close associate of Panigoni who held nominal ownership for a short period; contemporary correspondence implies the car remained in Panigoni's practical care throughout this interval.
- 1971 →Private saleGiannantonio Panigonifull documentation
Long-term custodian for over half a century; commissioned a professional repaint in Grigio Anthrazit Metallic and converted the car to front disc brakes. Regularly exhibited and participated in events with the car.
Competition
- 2005-09-0150th Anniversary BMW 507 TourDriver: Giannantonio Panigoni
Commemorative rally outing marking half a century of the 507 model, attended while the car was in long-term Italian ownership.
- 2016BMW Centenary Festival, MunichDriver: Giannantonio Panigoni
Participation in the marque's 100th anniversary celebration event held in Munich.
Maintenance & restoration
- —Modification
Braking system converted from drums to disc brakes at the front axle, as detailed by Panigoni in correspondence with BMW.
Panigoni also requested a longer-ratio rear axle and workshop manual from BMW during the same period, though those requests were not fulfilled.
- —BodyworkGiancarlo Cappa
Full repaint of bodywork and dashboard in Grigio Anthrazit Metallic, carried out by restorer Giancarlo Cappa.
Cappa confirmed the work in a personal letter, expressing particular enthusiasm for the 507 as his motivation for accepting the commission.
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