BMW 502 503 507 car show display Germany 1955 - photo photograph

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Seller: aherl ✉️ (5,554) 99%, Location: Utr., NL, Ships to: WORLDWIDE, Item: 373538320557 BMW 502 503 507 car show display Germany 1955 - photo photograph.

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A superb and rare photo of the impressive BMW car factory display or show stand, photographed during the prestigious I.A.A. International Motor Show in the city of Frankfurt , Germany , in 1955 . Centerpiece is the amazing BMW 507 TS convertible , a car that was designed to revive BMW’s sportive image as a car manufacturer in the 1950s. Also shown are the BMW 502 and the BMW 503 . The 503 debuted worldwide during this show, it was the first time this exiting new car was showed to the public. In the foreground we see the Mercedes Benz display.

The BMW 507 was exquisitely build, most were sold with an optional hand-fabricated removable hardtop. Because of the car-to-car differences, each hardtop fits only the car for which it was made. Today, the BMW 507 remains a milestone model for its attractive styling, which attracted famous owners like Elvis Presley (who gave his car to actress Ursula Andress), George “Schorsch” Meier and John Surtees are just a few of them. Only 252 were built, plus two prototypes. Today, the BMW 507 is one of the most expensive and sought after thoroughbreds around. The BMW 507 TS , or "Touring Sport," was the brainchild of the American BMW importer Max Hoffman, who in 1954 persuaded the BMW management to produce a roadster version of the BMW 501 and BMW 502 saloons that could compete with Jaguar and Mercedes-Benz sports cars. Hoffman pushed for designer Albrecht "Zeppo" Goertz, who also designed the contemporary BMW 503, and the Datsun 240Z as the designer, over existing designs by Ernst Loof, whose sketches Hoffman felt were not commercially viable. Goertz was hired by BMW in November 1954. BMW engineer Fritz Fiedler was assigned to design the mechanical package, using existing components wherever possible. The 507 made its debut at the Waldorf-Astoria Hotel in New York in the summer of 1955. Production began in November 1956. Max Hoffman intended the 507 to sell for about $5,000 U.S. , which he believed would allow a production run of 5,000 units a year. Instead, high production costs pushed the cost in Germany to DM 26,500 (later 29,950), driving the U.S. price initially to $9,000 and ultimately $10,500. Despite attracting celebrity buyers including Hans Stuck and Georg "Schorsch" Meier, the car never once reached more than 10% of the sales volumes achieved by its Stuttgart rival, the Mercedes-Benz 300SL. Intended to revive BMW's sporting image, the 507 instead took BMW to the edge of bankruptcy -- the company's losses for 1959 were DM 15 million. The company lost money on each 507 built, and production was terminated in late 1959. Only 252 were built, plus two prototypes. Fortunately for the company, an infusion of capital from Herbert Quandt and the launch of new, cheaper models (the BMW 700, Isetta and eventually the 'New Class' 1500) helped the company recover. The 507 prototype remains a milestone model for its attractive styling, which attracted some famous buyers. American icon Elvis Presley was the most noteworthy purchaser. In addition to owning another car, while on duty with the US Army in Germany in 1959 he bought a white 507 for US$3,500, a fortune at the time. He brought it back with him to the US , and at some point had the engine replaced with a 289-cubic inch Ford V-8. He gave the car to one of his most famous co-stars, the Swiss-born actress Ursula Andress, in 1963. She kept it for some 20 years and sold it  in 1997. Another famous owner is John Surtees, who was given a 507 by MV Agusta (he still owns it). His series of engine upgrades yielding 194 hp became popular, and is known as the Surtees upgrade. 202 507s are known to survive, a tribute to the car's appeal. The styling of the 507 later influenced the Z3, Z4 and Z8. The 507 shared the frame of the 503, shortened from 2835 mm ( 111.6 in ) to 2479 mm ( 97.6 in ). Overall length was 4835 mm ( 172.6 in ), and overall height was a low 1257 mm ( 49.5 in ). Curb weight was about 1,485 kg ( 2,835 lb ). The body was almost entirely hand-formed of aluminum, and no two models were exactly the same. Many cars were sold with an optional hand-fabricated removable hardtop. Because of the car-to-car differences, each hardtop fits only the car for which it was made. Front suspension was parallel double wishbones, with torsion bar springs and an anti-roll bar. Rear suspension had a live axle, also sprung by torsion bars, and located by a Panhard rod and a central, transverse A-arm to control acceleration and braking forces. Brakes were Alfin drum brakes of 284.5 mm ( 11.2 in ) diameter, and power brakes were optional. Late-model 507s had front Girling disc brakes. The engine was the aluminum alloy BMW OHV V8, of 3.2 L (195.8 in³) displacement, with pushrod-operated overhead valves. It had two Solex Zenith 32NDIX two-barrel carburetors. It rated 150 hp (111.9 kW) DIN, with 160 hp (119.4 kW) optional. It was mated to a four-speed manual transmission with various rear-end ratios optional. It was capable of 0- 60 mph (0- 96 km/h ) in about 10 seconds; the factory claimed a top speed of 141 mph ( 227 km/h ), depending on gearing.

The BMW 503 debuted during the 1955 Frankfurt Motor Show, the I.A.A. (SEE PHOTO!) . Production got under way during the summer of the next year, and by 1959, when the 503 was withdrawn, 413 had been built including 139 cabriolets. The car was styled by the entrepreneurial auto-designer, Albrecht von Goertz based on preliminary drafts prepared by Kurt Bredschneider. It was originally intended to feature a flamboyant shape incorporating rounded mudguards which would have emphasized its kinship with the BMW 502 sedan, but regulations concerning matters such as light positioning rendered such a form impractical. In retrospect, the more square cornered look of the car as it emerged with fully integrated wings may have been more in tune with future styling trends than the original proposal. The 503 incorporated the 3168 cc light metal V8 engine from the 502 which in this application delivered a claimed power output of 140 bhp (103 kW) and acceleration from standstill to 100 km/h ( 62 mph ) in 13 seconds along with a top speed slightly short of 120 mph ( 193 km/h ). The four speed manual transmission was unchanged from that used in the 502. Also presented at the 1955 Motor Show was the car’s sister model, the BMW 507, a two seater aluminium bodied roadster targeting customers looking for more raw performance. Both would be overshadowed in the marketplace by headline grabbing sports cars from Mercedes Benz. Although the 503 outsold its sibling, sales volumes were dwarfed by those of the rivals from Stuttgart-Untertürkheim. Sixty years later, the BMW sports cars from the 1950s are much sought after by collectors and enthusiasts both on account of their inherent qualities and because of their rarity.

The BMW 502 first appeared at the 1954 Geneva Motor Show as a response to the need for a faster version of the 501 in order to reassert BMW’s reputation as a producer of sporting sedans. It shared the body of the 501, but addressed that car’s perceived performance deficit and prepared the way for a series of high powered saloons that would form the basis of BMW’s success in the closing decades of the twentieth century. By launching their V8 in 1954, BMW stole a march on Mercedes-Benz whose first postwar V8 engine would appear only in 1963. The 502 was acclaimed as Germany's first post-war V8 powered car. The innovative lightweight 2580 cc V8 engine offered a claimed power output of 100 bhp (74 kW). The published top speed of 160 km/h ( 99 mph ) comfortably bettered that of the first six cylinder version of the Ponton Mercedes launched the same year. At the time of its introduction the 502 was reportedly Germany's fastest passenger sedan in regular production. Later, a 3168 cc version of the new V8 was also offered, initially with a claimed 120 bhp (89 kW) power output, though power increased further with subsequent iterations. The 502 was distinguished from the 501 by additional chrome trim and more lavish interior fittings. Commended, like the 501, for the extent to which the car cossetted its driver and passengers, the 502 would increasingly be known also for its speed and acceleration. Fuel economy was perhaps of less interest to buyers. Comparing mpg claims from this period with moderated twenty-first century data is not simple. However, in 1963 when the 502's engine had grown to a 3.2 litre capacity, a report estimated the 502's consumption at15 km/L (42 mpg-imp; 35 mpg-US). Fog lights and individual front seats were also now included as standard features. Also innovative was the attention paid to passive safety. The car featured a robust chassis providing above average side impact protection, an unusually short steering column with the steering gear set well back from the front of the car, and a fuel tank placed in a carefully protected location above the rear axel in order to minimize fire risk in the event of an accident. As well as the saloon version, BMW offered Baur built two door cabriolet and coupé versions of the 502 in 1954 and 1955. Subsequently, the 502 provided the underpinnings for the BMW 503 sports car launched in 1955 and, during its final years, for the Bertone influenced BMW 3200 CS. Other 502 variants included an ambulance conversion commissioned by the Red Cross and built by the Lorsch based ambulance specialists, Binz. The Frankfurt Show in 1955 saw the presentation of the BMW 505, an enlarged 502 lengthened to 5.1 meters , and designed for chauffeur use, complete with a drinks bar in the back. BMW saw this as a car for statesmen, to compete on equal terms with the Mercedes-Benz 300. Konrad Adenauer was persuaded to embark upon a test drive with his chauffeur. On entering the car, however, Adenauer’s knocked his hat which displeased him. No orders were received from the Chancellor’s Office and the 505’s Schwabian conqueror went on to acquire the nickname “Adenauer Mercedes” because the chancellor was so often seen sitting in one. BMW’s 505 never went into series production, though two of them continued to turn up at shows and exhibitions for a while.

This is a very nice and very rare photo that reflects a wonderful era of BMW ‘s automotive history in a wonderful way.  This is your rare chance to own this photo, therefore it is printed in a nice large format of ca. 8" x 12" (ca. 20 x 30 cm ).  It makes it perfectly suitable for framing.

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Shipping costs will only be $ 7.00 regardless of how many photos you buy.   For 5 or more photos, shipping is free!

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No copyright expressed or implied. Sold as collectable item only. We are clearing out our archives that we have gathered from various sources.

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We have photographs that came from professional collections and/or were bought from the original photographer or press studio! They are all of professional and excellent quality.

 

After many decades of professionally collecting photographs and posters we are clearing out our archives. They make the perfect gift and are perfectly suited for framing. They will look gorgeous unframed and will be a true asset nicely framed with a border. They are a gorgeous and great asset in every home, workshop, workplace, restaurant, bar or club!

 

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  • Condition: New
  • Product Type: Photos, Prints & Posters

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