Photo: matthieu huerta
Yesterday was a big day for some lucky man who had $1.8 million in his pocket. That’s because at the Gooding and Company auction held in Scottsdale, AZ, a rare 1959 BMW 507 Roadster Series II was auctioned for no less than $1,815,000.
It might see a lot for some people but the 507 Roadster is one of the iconic cars in BMW’s history coming from an age when things couldn’t’ve been more different from what we know BMW to be today. Its shape and curves served as inspiration for countless modern BMWs, the Z8 and Z4 included.
Back then it was fitted with a 3.2-liter V8 that used to make 160 HP, puny by today’s standards but it was rocket back in the day. It was so beautiful that even the King himself bought one. No, not the King of England but Elvis Presley.
Only 252 units of the Roadster were ever made and this one belonged to collector after collector up until today. Before being brought forward for the auction, the current owner claims that over $50,000 were invested in its restoration.
The brakes, gearbox, cooling system and shock absorbers were rebuilt while the entire suspension was replaced with a new one. Another thing they did was to add a factory hardtop that will have to be adapted to the car’s body. That’s because back in the day when the 507 was built, the bodies were made by coach builders and each one was different. This is the second most expensive BMW ever sold, behind another 507 Series II Roadster that was sold last year at the Amelia Island Concours d’Elegance for $2.4 million.
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