Vehicle Description
Chassis No. 70171
Engine No. 40183
In the realm of coveted sports cars hailing from the 1950s, the
indelible imprint of Austrian-born, New York-based automotive
importer Max Hoffman looms large. Thanks to his remarkable ability
to recognize and exploit market niches, Hoffman attracted the
attention of distinguished marques such as Jaguar, Alfa Romeo, BMW,
Mercedes-Benz, Porsche, and Volkswagen, playing a pivotal role in
helping each of them gain a foothold in the American automotive
landscape. His profound influence extended beyond the mere
facilitation of imports, guiding manufacturers in crucial product
decisions. A staunch proponent of small, sporting models as a means
of breaking into the American market, Hoffman's vision gave birth
to such automotive gems like the Porsche 356 Speedster, Alfa Romeo
Giulietta Spider, and the Mercedes-Benz 300 SL Gullwing Coupe. With
each new creation, Hoffman's intuition proved to be well aligned
with the demands of the American clientele.
By the mid-1950s, Hoffman was selling roughly one-third of
Porsche's annual output to customers in the United States. Having
more than achieved Porsche's American breakthrough, he set his
sights on establishing another German manufacturer in North
America, BMW. At the time, the Munich-based firm was still
recovering from the heavy bombing its factories sustained during
World War II, and its lineup of luxury sedans lacked anything
resembling a halo sports car. Seeing what Hoffman had done for
other manufacturers, BMW agreed to build a two-door roadster based
on the 501 and 502 saloons to tempt American buyers. Hoffman tapped
young protege Albrecht Graf von Goertz to design the new Roadster's
sweeping lines - his first-ever entire car design project - while
the mechanical underpinnings were handled by BMW technical director
Fritz Fiedler.
First unveiled to the public at New York's Waldorf=Astoria in
August 1955, the gorgeous hand-formed aluminum shape of the BMW 507
is still hailed today as one of the finest accomplishments in the
history of automotive design. Supremely elegant from every angle,
the sensuous body featured a plunging nose with a slanted variation
of BMW's trademark twin-kidney grille, sculpted front fenders, and
purposeful chrome detailing around the headlights, windshield, and
fender vents. Under its lithe alloy coachwork sat BMW's advanced
all-aluminum 3.2-liter overhead-valve V8 engine producing a brisk
148 horsepower and paired with a four-speed synchromesh
transmission. Yet despite its irresistible appeal, the consequence
of the 507's impressive performance and truly captivating
aesthetics was its cost. Early promotional cars soared past
Hoffman's target price of $4,499, with each bespoke example
ultimately costing nearly $10,000 at a time when the 300 SL
Roadster retailed for closer to $7000. Just 252 examples were
produced before production ceased in 1959. As a result, 507
ownership was limited to a select group of well-to-do clientele and
high-profile celebrities, counting Elvis Presley, Alain Delon,
Ursula Andress, John Surtees, and King Baudouin of Belgium among
its exclusive list of owners.
One such member of this discerning club was New Orleans jazz
musician Pierre Dewey LaFontaine Jr., known professionally as Pete
Fountain. As a rising clarinetist in the city that created jazz,
Fountain made a name for himself performing with best known jazz
bands in the country including the Basin Street Six, The Dukes of
Dixieland, and Al Hirt, before later transitioning to television
with his many solo performances on the ABC television show, The
Lawrence Welk Show in the late 1950s. It was around this time that
Fountain acquired BMW 507 chassis number 70171, the Papyros white
Roadster offered here. According to BMW Group Classic, this 507 was
completed on 17 September 1958 - a desirable Series II example
equipped with Girling front disc brakes - and dispatched to the
United States. Fascinatingly, the 507 was not delivered through the
usual importers Fadex or Hoffman and is believed to have been
specially ordered by Fountain, with a period image on file of the
famous jazz musician behind the wheel of chassis 70171 - the
earliest known image of the car - as well as a 1963 New Orleans
inspection sticker that remains affixed to the windshield.
Documentation resumes in the 1990s when the 507 was registered to
attorney and BMW collector Terrance K. Knudsen of Wisconsin. By the
end of the decade, the car had found a new long-term caretaker in
Melvin F. Weiss of New Jersey, who is believed to have cherished
the elegant roadster for over two decades until 2023. Under Weiss's
ownership, the BMW was the subject of a meticulous restoration to
its original factory appearance in the timeless exterior color of
Papyros white, neatly contrasted by a highly desirable dark blue
optional factory hard top and matching dark blue leather interior.
The exceptional quality and attention to detail of the
comprehensive endeavor is evident in its period-correct touches
including its Becker Mexico radio and set of chrome knock-off Rudge
wheels. Furthermore, chassis 70171 boasts an enviable degree of
originality, with the fitted engine, number 40183, being recognized
by BMW Group Classic to be the original, matching-numbers unit.
Today, the superb condition of the bodywork, chassis, and interior
indicate that the 507 was restored to very a high, concours-quality
standard and has been remarkably well maintained since its
completion. Importantly, the number "171" can be found stamped into
the bonnet and trunk lid, indicating these are the original body
pieces.
Complementing its outstanding cosmetic presentation, the 507's
matching-numbers engine was entrusted to the highly regarded
specialists at Motion Products Inc. in Neenah, Wisconsin for a
comprehensive engine rebuild. The four-month undertaking, which
included the replacement of the clutch, is neatly documented by
receipts in excess of $65,000 and photos in their own binder. Two
further history file binders are included with the car, containing
several original owner's and maintenance manuals, old registration
cards, a book about Pete Fountain and his incredible career, a
couple of Pete Fountain vinyl records, and other period
paraphernalia. A fresh set of period-correct Pirelli Cinturato
tires have recently been fitted as well.
This impeccably restored and rare 507 is now offered with its
freshly rebuilt, matching-numbers engine, opening a world of
possibilities for its next fortunate owner to extensively tour or
show. As one of only 252 examples produced compared to many more
Porsche 356 Speedsters and Mercedes 300 SLs, the BMW 507 was not
only an extraordinary sight in its day but is now an extremely
collectible masterpiece of design and engineering. Chassis number
70171, with its matching-numbers status, splendid restoration in
its factory original color, and extensive factory literature is
undoubtedly one of the finest BMW 507s currently available.
