Vehicle Description
At the end of WW2, BMW was in a much worse state than Mercedes-Benz
in Stuttgart because one of its major plants - the old Dixi works
at Eisenach in Saxony - was within the Russian Zone and would soon
be cut off from the West behind the 'Iron Curtain'. Nevertheless,
BMW recommenced car production in 1952 with the introduction of the
501 luxury saloon, a bullish choice for an impoverished country
still recovering from the ravages of war. The 501 had been
announced in 1951 and first appeared with a development of the
company's pre-war six-cylinder engine before gaining a much needed
performance boost, in the form of a 2.6-liter V8, in 1954. Designed
by Alfred B�ning, this new power unit had been inspired by American
V8s but was constructed entirely of aluminum rather than cast iron.
Towards the end of 1955 a 3.2-liter version was introduced, and the
big saloon's model designation changed to '502'.Enticed by New York
based importer Max Hoffman and BMW sales manager Haans Grewenig,
BMW became convinced that premier GT and sports cars would appeal
to wealthy North American clientele. Though competition was stiff,
Hoffman envisioned a growing market of affluent performance GT
enthusiasts building in the states. Though initially conceived with
modest price tags, the 503 arrived substantially over budget even
though many of the mechanical components had already been developed
for the 501 and 502 luxury sedans. Simply stated, BMW's proud
over-engineering and demanding internal requirements for excellence
would not be compromised. Even the hand-crafted aluminum body,
built at BMW Karrosserieentwurf, was assembled at great cost,
including a cast alloy dashboard, itself a work of art.Delivered to
production at enormous internal expense from 1956-1959, the 503
offered features and performance that competed handily with
contemporary offerings. But the costly 503, produced alongside the
507, was constructed to such exacting standards it nearly forced
BMW into bankruptcy. Although a fiscal challenge for BMW, the 503
would generate important brand equity for BMW, but sales were less
than expected, a result, while challenging at the time, that has
since become woven into the rarity of these cars. Built with the
finest mechanical components, the overhead valve 3.2 liter V8
aluminum block engine, upgraded with twin carburetors and improved
lubrication via chain-driven oil pump, delivered 140 hp in a light
and nimble package. And while performance was impressive for the
time, the remarkable feature of the 503 was the undeniably
beautiful handmade aluminum coachwork, penned by designer Albrecht
von Goertz, who concurrently designed the celebrated 507
roadster.Available in both coupe and convertible variants, the
chassis was developed using a ladder frame derived from the 502.
Steering and suspension from the 502 were also utilized with some
improvements incorporated to the front suspension system. The
gearbox and drum brakes were further derived from the 502 with
front disc brakes becoming available in 1957, courtesy of John
Surtees who had suggested this change for both the 507 and the 503,
both of which Surtees owned. Offered with power windows, the same
hydraulic unit that powers the electric convertible top and side
windows, also powers the windows in the coupe.This 503 is one of
274 Coupes produced during the three-year production. According to
the car's history file, it was first registered February 27, 1959,
to Dr. Elsbeth Karius of Muggensturm/Rastatt and stayed with the
good doctor for the next fourteen years. The next caretaker was
Herr Stefan Stahle, who looked after the car until 1978, when it
passed to Herr Ulrich Vetter of Kreutzal, who would possess the
coupe until 2002. Another German owner kept the car for just a
year, and the last two owners each kept the 503 for ten years,
first in Germany and most recently in the UK.Today this BMW 503
presents as a captivating example finished in ivory over a
wonderfully preserved original tan leather interior. Its light
coloring is complemented by the generous application of chrome
lavished on both the exterior and interior without interrupting the
stunning Goertz design. The paint is glossy and smooth, flowing
gracefully over the alloy body panels. The front and rear bumpers,
headlight bezels, and other chrome are all in excellent condition.
The distinctive BMW emblems are the only indications that viewers
are not gazing at one of the finest Italian designs. Indeed, upon
the debut at the 1955 Frankfurt Motor Show, even Battista "Pinin"
Farina pronounced the 503 as the prettiest car in the entire
show.The interior is beautifully preserved with rich, original
leather with a charming character earned through regular enjoyment.
The dashboard sports an elegant array of gauges with crisp
lettering and bright numeric indication. Further details include a
sliding sunroof, Becker Mexico radio, leather covered dashboard,
and a gorgeous four-spoke ivory white steering emulating, as their
logo does, the high-speed prop spin marking BMW's aviation
heritage. The elegant interior continues to the trunk lining and
finishes in the trunk compartment which offers ample room for
luggage along with a full-sized matching spare wheel.Under the
hood, the BMW V8 engine is correctly detailed utilizing original
accessories and properly finished hardware. The engine number,
30557, is consistent with numeric engine sequences reflective of
factory installation. Both the engine and engine compartment have
been restored and detailed including the silver painted engine and
accessories, cast iron exhaust manifolds, correctly finished twin
carburetors with stamped metal air cleaners, and proper hardware,
and a set of tools resides in a dedicated BMW storage box on the
cowl.In addition to the visual condition, this BMW 503 offers both
mechanical refinement and operational confidence. The delicately
muffled V8 engine is brisk and responsive moving through all five
gears. The comfortable seating position offers expansive visibility
and easy to reach controls further enhanced by the pillarless
design and sunroof. Driving this BMW 503 it is easy to see how
these cars delighted the few but fortunate owners who purchased
them new despite the considerable financial losses BMW experienced
lavishing the absolute best in quality which nearly resulted in
their demise.One of the rarest and most desirable BMWs of the
1950s, It offers its next owner exquisite styling, super
performance, and sophisticated German engineering in a very usable
Grand Tourer package, eligible for the finest driving events
worldwide. Offers welcome and trades considered. For additional
details please view this listing directly on our website
