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Racing Heritage
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BMW 507
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| Engine: |
V-8 |
| Valve linkage: |
ohv |
| Displacement: |
3168 cc |
| Bore x stroke: |
82 mm x 75 mm |
| Power output: |
150 horsepower at 5000 rpm |
| Gearbox: |
4 forward, 1 reverse |
| Wheel suspension: |
Front: double A-arms, torsion bars
Rear: independent rigid axle with torsion bars |
| Foot brake: |
Hydraulic, drum |
| Hand brake: |
Mechanical |
| Tires: |
185 HR 16 |
| Wheelbase: |
99.2 in. |
| Overall dimensions: |
175.2 x 66 x 50.4 in. |
| Weight: |
2926 lbs. |
| Top speed: |
120-132 mph depending on final drive ratio |
Year of
construction: |
1956-59 |
Number of vehicles
produced: |
252 |
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Along with the 120-horsepower 502 sedan and the 140-horsepower 503 Gran Touring coupe, the third model of the new, much-admired 3.2 liter V-8 collection for 1955 was the
BMW 507 sport roadster. Unanimously
known today as Albrecht Graf Goertz's masterpiece, this vehicle was impressive not just because of its exciting, modern lines, in which one could see power and hot-bloodedness, but also because of its actual driving performance. The chassis of
the sedan was shortened by 350 mm, and the track width for both the front and rear axles was markedly increased.
Two down-draft carburetors like in the BMW 503 were used here, but an increase in the compression ratio from 7.3:1 to 7.8:1 resulted in 10 additional horsepower for the aluminum V-8. According to
the final drive ratio selected, one could achieve speeds of up to 132 mph. Beginning in 1958 disc brakes were available for the first time on a German production car on the front wheels. Hans Stuck utilized the BMW 507 with great success for
mountain racing. The sales of this expensive roadster remained, however, modest. Only 252 examples were produced, mainly by hand, for a select clientele.
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