1957 BMW 507 Series II
- Engine
- 3.2L OHV all-alloy V8, dual carburetors, 145 bhp
- Colour
- Black over red leather
Chassis 70205 is a 1959 BMW 507 Series II Roadster, one of only 253 ever constructed, powered by a 3.2-litre all-aluminium V8 producing 150bhp. Believed delivered new to the US market through importer Max Hoffman, it passed through successive American owners before undergoing a sympathetic restoration in the late 1980s, at which point its current black finish was applied. Subsequently shown at various Concours d'Elegance events, it has resided with a prominent collector for nearly thirty years in a climate-controlled environment.
Ownership
- —Auction saleEstimate US$2,300,000 – US$2,600,000
- 2021-01-21Auction saleSold US$1,640,000
- 1960 → 1970Acquisition unknownLacklan M. Mackenziepartial documentation
Resident of Staten Island; ownership confirmed by the 1960s but no documentary corroboration is described.
- 1970 →Acquisition unknownShane O'Neilpartial documentation
Associated with RKO General in New York and a grandson of the RKO studio founder; held the car across the 1970s and into the 1980s, during which a sympathetic refurbishment was carried out and the body was repainted black.
- 1990 →Acquisition unknownProminent collector, identity unspecifiedpartial documentation
Acquired in the early 1990s following the late-1980s restoration; vehicle has been stored in a climate-controlled facility throughout this custodianship of nearly 30 years.
- Date unknownFactory deliveryMax Hoffmanpartial documentation
US importer who likely received the car on delivery; original dashboard instruments calibrated for American use support a US-market destination.
Competition
- —Concours d'Elegance appearances post-restorationMultiple successful showings
Following the late-1980s refurbishment the car was entered in various concours events, achieving notable results; specific event names and dates are not given.
Maintenance & restoration
- —Maintenance
A factory replacement engine block was installed at an early stage; no engine number is stamped on the block, though it bears a '150 PS' rating and the BMW emblem consistent with a correct 507 unit.
Timing is described only as 'early on' relative to the car's history; no specific date or workshop is recorded.
- —Restoration
A sympathetic restoration was carried out in the late 1980s; the car is believed to have received its current black exterior finish during this work.
Precise year and restorer are not stated. The prose characterises the work as sympathetic, suggesting originality was respected.
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