The BMW 507 roadster, introduced in 1956, marks its 70th anniversary in 2026 as one of the company's most iconic designs. Despite nearly bankrupting BMW due to high production costs, the limited-run sports car has become highly valuable. Its elegant lines, designed by Albrecht Goertz, continue to influence BMW's sports car heritage.
The BMW 507 roadster's story began in the mid-1950s when American importer Max Hoffman urged BMW to create a lightweight, open-top sports car to rival the Mercedes-Benz 300SL. Hoffman committed to buying 1,000 units priced at around $5,000 each, aiming to appeal to U.S. buyers. BMW, recovering from postwar challenges with its lineup of luxury sedans and the Isetta microcar, agreed to the proposal.
Albrecht Goertz, a designer trained under Raymond Loewy, crafted the 507's body with hand-formed aluminum panels, featuring long, low horizontals, a gently curved windscreen, and an integrated kidney grille. The design debuted at the 1955 New York Motor Show, drawing widespread acclaim and orders.
Powered by a 3.2-liter all-aluminum V8 engine producing around 150 horsepower, the 507 weighed about 1,330 kilograms. It accelerated from 0-100 km/h in roughly 11 seconds and reached a top speed of over 220 km/h, paired with a four-speed manual transmission. However, manufacturing by Baur in Stuttgart proved labor-intensive, doubling costs and pushing the U.S. price to $9,000-$10,000.
Production ran from 1956 to 1959, yielding just 254 examples, with BMW losing money on each. The financial strain nearly bankrupted the company, saved instead by the Isetta's success. Notably, Elvis Presley owned one—serial number 70079—purchasing it white in 1958 during his German military service and later repainting it red due to fans' lipstick marks.
Today, restored 507s fetch over $2 million at auctions, reflecting their rarity and design legacy. The model's influence appears in later BMW sports cars like the 3.0 CSL, M1, Z8, and i8, embodying a blend of elegance and performance that defines the brand.