BMW507

BMW 507 Engine

The BMW 507's engine is the light-alloy pushrod V8 of BMW's 502 saloon, tuned with two twin-choke carburettors and flanged to a four-speed ZF gearbox. Here are its technical data, the running gear and frame, the performance every source claimed or measured, and the price new, each reading with its source.

The engine bay of a pale blue BMW 507: an aluminium V8 with BMW rocker covers, two round air cleaners and black plug leads with orange boots.
The light-alloy V8 of a 507 under its two air cleaners, at the Classic-Gala in Schwetzingen on 3 September 2022.Wikisympathisant, CC BY-SA 4.0

BMW showed its light-alloy V8 at the Geneva salon in 1954 and put it first into the big saloons (sedans). In the 507 it went into a two-seater with a stronger tune, flanged to a four-speed ZF gearbox (transmission), and the comparison below gives the car's figures as BMW's literature and the testers of the 1950s recorded them, each with its source; a small asterisk marks a figure other sources give differently.⁠1​2​3​4

The V8

It is a 90-degree V8 with its eight cylinders in one light-alloy block and wet liners. A single chain-driven camshaft in the vee works the overhead valves through pushrods and rockers, and the rockers sit on long steel studs screwed into the block, so that the aluminium heads can expand without altering the valve clearances; BMW's brochure of 1959 calls it automatic valve-clearance compensation. The crankshaft runs in five plain bearings, the pistons are light alloy, and a heat exchanger in the cooling water warms the oil quickly. Every engine was balanced on a machine after assembly. Jenkinson, who saw the engines built in 1955, summed up the material:

Every casting on the engine is aluminium and the result is a very light and compact unit, and it is notable for its smooth running.

Denis Jenkinson, Motor Sport, November 1955

The 507's version had two Zenith 32 NDIX downdraught twin-choke carburettors with a starting carburettor, where the 502 had one carburettor, and Sports Cars Illustrated added a dual exhaust and aluminium heads to the list of differences in 1957. Against the 503's engine, Motor Sport was told in 1956, it differed only in higher valve lift and polished cylinder heads. BMW rated its power by the German DIN standard; its French brochure and the American magazines gave SAE gross figures, which come out higher. In the engine hall Motor Sport found every 503 engine run for 10 hours on a Schenck water brake and a 502 V8 for six: "The 507 engine is likely to be run for 20 hours." The BMW V8 Club's higher-compression engine is on the versions page.⁠5​2​3​1​6​7​8

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Gearbox and clutch

The gearbox is a ZF four-speed, type S4-15 by the BMW V8 Club's data sheet, with synchromesh on all four gears and a short lever on the floor between the seats. Its ratios are 3.387, 2.073, 1.364 and 1.000 to 1, with 3.18 in reverse, and the clutch is a single dry plate worked hydraulically. The axle ratio was 3.70 to 1 as standard, with 3.42 and 3.90 to order. Sports Cars Illustrated understood the gearbox to be the one in the Maserati 3500GT, and in 1987 Motor Sport found "the lateral movement across the gate is enormous".

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Frame and body

BMW described the frame as a "Vollschutz-Kastenrahmen mit starken Rohrquerträgern und fest verbundenem Aufbau": a full-protection box-section frame with strong tubular cross-members, joined fast to the body. It is the 502's frame, shortened between the axles. The whole body is aluminium, and the bonnet (hood) and boot (trunk) lid are held up by torsion-bar stays.

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Suspension and steering

At the front each wheel has a pair of wishbones in rubber bushes, an adjustable torsion bar running lengthways and a telescopic damper, with an anti-roll bar across. At the rear is a banjo-type live axle with a hypoid final drive, also on adjustable torsion bars and telescopic dampers, located by a push-pull strut and a Panhard rod. At low speed, Motor Sport found in 1987, the torsion bars gave "a very choppy ride indeed", which smoothed out as the speed rose.

BMW called the steering a backlash-free bevel gear, Kegelradlenkung, with a column adjustable for reach, and its catalogue promised that it would never feel "schwammig", spongy. BMW's 2005 press kit explains it as the rack-and-pinion principle applied to a crown-wheel segment, which is how Motor Sport described the 501's steering in 1955: "a form of rack and pinion, where the rack is formed in a semi-circle". Sports Cars Illustrated knew it in 1959 as a pinion and sector, three and a half turns from lock to lock. BMW gave the turning circle as about 11 m (36 ft) in 1957 and 1958 and 10.7 m (35 ft) in 1959.⁠2​3​8​1​5​11​12

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Brakes, wheels and tyres

The brakes are hydraulic drums all round, two leading shoes at the front and one at the rear, in Alfin light-alloy drums with cast-iron liners and with a vacuum servo by ATE. The servo was an extra on the car announced in 1955 and standard by 1957, and the automatic shoe adjusters BMW listed in 1957 were dropped in 1959. Sports Cars Illustrated's American test car of 1959 had the drums, and its front brakes faded first when the testers drove at eight- to nine-tenths. In 1987 Motor Sport recalled that Jenkinson had found the brakes fading on a visit around the launch and had argued the point with von Falkenhausen. Dunlop front discs came at the very end, for the 1960 cars (the versions page has the detail).

The standard wheels are steel discs with trims, and centre-lock disc wheels were an extra; the car in the picture has them.⁠2​3​13​7​4​11​12

The white BMW 507 that belonged to Elvis Presley seen from the side on a red platform, with an old microphone on a stand in front.
The centre-lock wheels of Elvis Presley's 507, chassis 70079, in the BMW Museum, Munich, on 23 May 2025.Wikisympathisant, CC BY-SA 4.0

Contents

Dimensions, weights and the fuel tank

The weights in print are for production cars empty or ready to drive, a car with a full tank and the hardtop car Motor Revue tested; two of the empty weights disagree. The comparison leads with BMW's own weight ready to drive and shows the others behind it. BMW's brochure of 1959 gives the car a little more width than the earlier literature, and no source read explains the difference.

The fuel tank stood upright behind the seats on the Series I and moved under the boot floor, beside the spare wheel, in June 1957, when it also became smaller. BMW's standard fuel consumption was 9.7 litres per 100 km (29 mpg imperial) in the catalogue of 1957 and 12.3 litres (23 mpg imperial) to the DIN 70030 standard in 1958 and 1959; Sports Cars Illustrated recorded 14 to 24 mpg (US) in its test.⁠2​3​13​14​1​11

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Top speed

Every top speed for the 507 belongs with an axle ratio, a roof and a source. BMW's literature gave two: the speed in top gear on the standard axle, which leads the comparison, and a higher one for a closed car with the undertray and the 3.42 axle, which the French brochure gives with the hood (soft top) up. Motor Sport had von Falkenhausen's figures for the prototype in 1956, open and with the hood up, and printed BMW's own view of what they meant:

This very handsome "Fahrleistung Wagen 507" is intended as a sports, touring car. BMW realising it isn't fast enough for competition work. Nevertheless, it has a splendid performance.

Motor Sport, November 1956

Motor Revue measured a car with the hardtop on the standard axle early in 1958. By the later accounts of auto motor und sport and Bimmer, its test car was BMW's works demonstrator, M-JX 800, the car Elvis Presley bought that December. In 1959 Sports Cars Illustrated quoted the factory's maximum for each of the three axles and doubted that any but the 3.90's could be reached without a fresh tune.⁠2​8​7​15​16​17​11

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Acceleration

Three 0–60 mph times were printed in the period. Sports Cars Illustrated printed the factory's figure in 1957; Motor Trend printed one in January 1959 without saying where it came from, the time Motor Sport remembered in 1987 as the one "originally quoted"; and Sports Cars Illustrated timed its own test car on the standard axle in 1959, which leads the comparison. Von Falkenhausen's figures of 1956 had timed the prototype to 50 and to 70 mph instead. Motor Revue's time of 1958 was taken from rest to 100 km/h (62 mph), with the hardtop on, and its comparison with a 300 SL roadster is on the 507 against the 300 SL. Sports Cars Illustrated drew its conclusion from its own figures:

The figures and graph speak for themselves; the 507 is no dog, but it's no tiger either. Sporting, perhaps, but not racing.

Sports Cars Illustrated, December 1959⁠6​18​12​11​15​7

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The price new

The prices new in the comparison are list prices, each with its market, date and basis. The comparison leads with the West German price in the list of 22 September 1955, printed in auto motor und sport's Frankfurt show issue, with the heater standard and the hardtop extra; the lists of 1956 and of July and September 1958 follow it. For Britain the readings are the price in the 1957 price list, including purchase tax, Motor Sport's forecast of November 1956 and the price in its Earls Court guide of October 1959, whose basis the guide does not state. For the United States they are the price Hoffman's company announced in May 1957 and never charged, the port-of-entry prices of January and May 1959, and the price of Sports Cars Illustrated's test car that December. The history tells what the prices meant and why the car lost BMW money.⁠13​19​20​14​1​12​7​21​6​18​22​11

Contents

Production

Sources for Production, by version

Price new
507 Touring Sport: Several figures in print.auto motor und sport, IAA report, "Technische Daten der deutschen Personenwagen" and "Preise der deutschen Personenwagen", Heft 20, 24 Sep 1955⁠13; BMW AG (BMW Group PressClub Czech Republic), "Zeitlose Eleganz: 50 Jahre BMW 507 und BMW 503", chapter of the press kit "Legenden der 50er Jahre: BMW 507 – BMW 503 – BMW Isetta", German, Apr 2005⁠1; auto motor und sport, New-car price list ("Preise"), Heft 6/1956⁠19; auto motor und sport, New-car price list ("Preise"), Heft 12/1956⁠23; auto motor und sport, New-car price list ("Preise"), Heft 15, 19 Jul 1958⁠20; auto motor und sport, New-car price list ("Preise"), with the Motor Revue advertisement, Heft 21, 11 Oct 1958⁠14; Der Spiegel, "BMW: Das rettende Modell", 20/1959, 12 May 1959⁠24; Alex Harmer, "Sisters under the skin?", Motor Sport, Feb 1987, p. 17⁠12; Motor Sport, "Earls Court Reviewed", Nov 1959, p. 39⁠21; Bill Boddy, "German high performance", Motor Sport, Nov 1956, p. 28⁠7; Jesse Alexander, "Complete report on BMW 507", with "Factory test data" and "Late news from BMW", Sports Cars Illustrated, May 1957, pp. 18–21, 50⁠6; Motor Trend, Annual guide: sports cars (the BMW 507 entry), Jan 1959, pp. 37–44 (BMW 507 p. 41)⁠18; Automotive News (Crain Communications), via Internet Archive, "Port-of-Entry Prices On Imported Cars", 11 May 1959, vol. 33 no. 3706; also 14 Sep 1959 (vol. 34 no. 3724) and 14 Mar 1960 (vol. 35 no. 3750)⁠22; Sports Cars Illustrated, "Disc-Braked BMW 507" (road test), with the same issue's Frankfurt show report, Dec 1959, pp. 49–51, 104⁠11
Built
507 Touring Sport: Good sources agree.First deliveries in December 1956; production given up towards the end of 1959. BMW AG (BMW Group PressClub Czech Republic), "Zeitlose Eleganz: 50 Jahre BMW 507 und BMW 503", chapter of the press kit "Legenden der 50er Jahre: BMW 507 – BMW 503 – BMW Isetta", German, Apr 2005⁠1; BMW V8 Club Deutschland, "Modellübersicht 503 507 3200 CS"⁠25
Designers
507 Touring Sport: Good sources agree.The 503 and 507 bodies. Industrial Design, Profile of Albrecht Graf Goertz, Aug 1959 (vol. 6 no. 8), pp. 50–51⁠26; auto motor und sport, IAA report, "Technische Daten der deutschen Personenwagen" and "Preise der deutschen Personenwagen", Heft 20, 24 Sep 1955⁠13
Built at
507 Touring Sport: One good source.The factory, visited September 1956. Bill Boddy, "German high performance", Motor Sport, Nov 1956, p. 28⁠7; Alex Harmer, "Sisters under the skin?", Motor Sport, Feb 1987, p. 17⁠12
507 Touring Sport
Price new26,500 DM

Price new, 507 Touring Sport

Several figures in print.

  • 26,500 DMGood sources agree: auto motor und sport, IAA report, "Technische Daten der deutschen Personenwagen" and "Preise der deutschen Personenwagen", Heft 20, 24 Sep 1955, list price, heater standard, 22 September 1955⁠13; BMW AG (BMW Group PressClub Czech Republic), "Zeitlose Eleganz: 50 Jahre BMW 507 und BMW 503", chapter of the press kit "Legenden der 50er Jahre: BMW 507 – BMW 503 – BMW Isetta", German, Apr 2005, at its debut⁠1; auto motor und sport, New-car price list ("Preise"), Heft 6/1956, list price, 1 March 1956⁠19; auto motor und sport, New-car price list ("Preise"), Heft 12/1956, list price, 1 June 1956⁠23
  • 28,500 DMOne good source: auto motor und sport, New-car price list ("Preise"), Heft 15, 19 Jul 1958, list price, 15 July 1958⁠20
  • 29,950 DMGood sources agree: auto motor und sport, New-car price list ("Preise"), with the Motor Revue advertisement, Heft 21, 11 Oct 1958, list price, 30 September 1958⁠14; Der Spiegel, "BMW: Das rettende Modell", 20/1959, 12 May 1959, May 1959⁠24
  • £4,201Good sources agree: BMW AG (BMW Group PressClub Czech Republic), "Zeitlose Eleganz: 50 Jahre BMW 507 und BMW 503", chapter of the press kit "Legenden der 50er Jahre: BMW 507 – BMW 503 – BMW Isetta", German, Apr 2005, the 1957 price list⁠1; Alex Harmer, "Sisters under the skin?", Motor Sport, Feb 1987, p. 17, tax-paid⁠12
  • £4,393One good source: Motor Sport, "Earls Court Reviewed", Nov 1959, p. 39, Earls Court show guide, October 1959; the guide prints no tax basis⁠21
  • £2,650One good source: Bill Boddy, "German high performance", Motor Sport, Nov 1956, p. 28, forecast before sale, November 1956; basis not stated⁠7
  • $4,988One good source: Jesse Alexander, "Complete report on BMW 507", with "Factory test data" and "Late news from BMW", Sports Cars Illustrated, May 1957, pp. 18–21, 50, announced, FOB New York, May 1957, conditional on full production and active retailing⁠6
  • $8,988One good source: Motor Trend, Annual guide: sports cars (the BMW 507 entry), Jan 1959, pp. 37–44 (BMW 507 p. 41), port of entry, January 1959⁠18
  • $10,500Good sources agree: Automotive News (Crain Communications), via Internet Archive, "Port-of-Entry Prices On Imported Cars", 11 May 1959, vol. 33 no. 3706; also 14 Sep 1959 (vol. 34 no. 3724) and 14 Mar 1960 (vol. 35 no. 3750), port of entry, East Coast, from 11 May 1959; heater and power brakes standard⁠22; Sports Cars Illustrated, "Disc-Braked BMW 507" (road test), with the same issue's Frankfurt show report, Dec 1959, pp. 49–51, 104, the road-test car, December 1959⁠11
Built1956–1959
DesignersAlbrecht von Goertz (body)
Built atMunich

Contents

Engine

Sources for Engine, by version

Engine maker
507 Touring Sport: One good source.BMW's own V8, built and bench-tested at Munich. Bill Boddy, "German high performance", Motor Sport, Nov 1956, p. 28⁠7; Denis Jenkinson ("D.S.J."), "At the House of B.M.W.", Motor Sport, Nov 1955, p. 46⁠5
Capacity
507 Touring Sport: Good sources agree.Actual; 3,146 cc by the German tax formula. Bayerische Motoren Werke AG, BMW 507 Touring Sport (sales brochure), German, 1/1959, W 61 5 1.59⁠3; Sports Cars Illustrated, "Disc-Braked BMW 507" (road test), with the same issue's Frankfurt show report, Dec 1959, pp. 49–51, 104⁠11; Motor Trend, Annual guide: sports cars (the BMW 507 entry), Jan 1959, pp. 37–44 (BMW 507 p. 41)⁠18; auto motor und sport, IAA report, "Technische Daten der deutschen Personenwagen" and "Preise der deutschen Personenwagen", Heft 20, 24 Sep 1955⁠13
Engine position
507 Touring Sport: One good source.Under the bonnet. Sports Cars Illustrated, "Disc-Braked BMW 507" (road test), with the same issue's Frankfurt show report, Dec 1959, pp. 49–51, 104⁠11
Block
507 Touring Sport: Good sources agree.Light-alloy block with wet liners. Bayerische Motoren Werke AG, BMW 507 Touring Sport (sales brochure), German, 1/1959, W 61 5 1.59⁠3; Denis Jenkinson ("D.S.J."), "At the House of B.M.W.", Motor Sport, Nov 1955, p. 46⁠5
Cylinder head
507 Touring Sport: Good sources agree.Every casting on the engine. Denis Jenkinson ("D.S.J."), "At the House of B.M.W.", Motor Sport, Nov 1955, p. 46⁠5; Jesse Alexander, "Complete report on BMW 507", with "Factory test data" and "Late news from BMW", Sports Cars Illustrated, May 1957, pp. 18–21, 50⁠6
Valve gear
507 Touring Sport: Good sources agree.Pushrods and rockers. Bayerische Motoren Werke AG, BMW 507 Touring Sport (sales brochure), German, 1/1959, W 61 5 1.59⁠3; Sports Cars Illustrated, "Disc-Braked BMW 507" (road test), with the same issue's Frankfurt show report, Dec 1959, pp. 49–51, 104⁠11
Bore × stroke
507 Touring Sport: Good sources agree.Bayerische Motoren Werke AG, BMW 507 Touring Sport (sales brochure), German, 1/1959, W 61 5 1.59⁠3; Sports Cars Illustrated, "Disc-Braked BMW 507" (road test), with the same issue's Frankfurt show report, Dec 1959, pp. 49–51, 104⁠11
Compression ratio
507 Touring Sport: Several figures in print.Bayerische Motoren Werke AG, BMW 507 Touring Sport (sales brochure), German, 1/1959, W 61 5 1.59⁠3; Sports Cars Illustrated, "Disc-Braked BMW 507" (road test), with the same issue's Frankfurt show report, Dec 1959, pp. 49–51, 104⁠11; Motor Trend, Annual guide: sports cars (the BMW 507 entry), Jan 1959, pp. 37–44 (BMW 507 p. 41)⁠18; Bill Boddy, "German high performance", Motor Sport, Nov 1956, p. 28⁠7; Jesse Alexander, "Complete report on BMW 507", with "Factory test data" and "Late news from BMW", Sports Cars Illustrated, May 1957, pp. 18–21, 50⁠6; auto motor und sport, IAA report, "Technische Daten der deutschen Personenwagen" and "Preise der deutschen Personenwagen", Heft 20, 24 Sep 1955⁠13; BMW V8 Club Deutschland, "Technische Daten 503 507 3200CS"⁠4
Fuel system
507 Touring Sport: Good sources agree.Two downdraught twin-choke carburettors. Bayerische Motoren Werke AG, BMW 507 Touring Sport (sales brochure), German, 1/1959, W 61 5 1.59⁠3; Sports Cars Illustrated, "Disc-Braked BMW 507" (road test), with the same issue's Frankfurt show report, Dec 1959, pp. 49–51, 104⁠11
Carburettors
507 Touring Sport: Good sources agree.Two Zenith 32 NDIX twin-choke downdraught. BMW AG (BMW Group PressClub Czech Republic), "Zeitlose Eleganz: 50 Jahre BMW 507 und BMW 503", chapter of the press kit "Legenden der 50er Jahre: BMW 507 – BMW 503 – BMW Isetta", German, Apr 2005⁠1; Jesse Alexander, "Complete report on BMW 507", with "Factory test data" and "Late news from BMW", Sports Cars Illustrated, May 1957, pp. 18–21, 50⁠6
Cooling
507 Touring Sport: Good sources agree.Sports Cars Illustrated, "Disc-Braked BMW 507" (road test), with the same issue's Frankfurt show report, Dec 1959, pp. 49–51, 104⁠11; auto motor und sport, IAA report, "Technische Daten der deutschen Personenwagen" and "Preise der deutschen Personenwagen", Heft 20, 24 Sep 1955⁠13
Cylinder layout
507 Touring Sport: Good sources agree.90° V8. Bayerische Motoren Werke AG, BMW 507 Touring Sport (sales brochure), German, 1/1959, W 61 5 1.59⁠3; Sports Cars Illustrated, "Disc-Braked BMW 507" (road test), with the same issue's Frankfurt show report, Dec 1959, pp. 49–51, 104⁠11
Cylinders
507 Touring Sport: Good sources agree.Bayerische Motoren Werke AG, BMW 507 Touring Sport (sales brochure), German, 1/1959, W 61 5 1.59⁠3; Sports Cars Illustrated, "Disc-Braked BMW 507" (road test), with the same issue's Frankfurt show report, Dec 1959, pp. 49–51, 104⁠11
Aspiration
507 Touring Sport: Good sources agree.Two carburettors, no forced induction. Bayerische Motoren Werke AG, BMW 507 Touring Sport (sales brochure), German, 1/1959, W 61 5 1.59⁠3; Sports Cars Illustrated, "Disc-Braked BMW 507" (road test), with the same issue's Frankfurt show report, Dec 1959, pp. 49–51, 104⁠11
Fuel
507 Touring Sport: One good source.Regular grade ("Normal"), the 1955 car. auto motor und sport, IAA report, "Technische Daten der deutschen Personenwagen" and "Preise der deutschen Personenwagen", Heft 20, 24 Sep 1955⁠13
Cycle
507 Touring Sport: One good source.Bayerische Motoren Werke AG, BMW 507 Touring Sport (sales brochure), German, 1/1959, W 61 5 1.59⁠3
Lubrication
507 Touring Sport: One good source.The oil carried in an aluminium sump (the V8 family). Denis Jenkinson ("D.S.J."), "At the House of B.M.W.", Motor Sport, Nov 1955, p. 46⁠5
507 Touring Sport
Engine makerBMW
Capacity3,168 cc
Engine positionFront
BlockAluminium
Cylinder headAluminium
Valve gearOHV
Bore × stroke82 x 75 mm
Compression ratio7.8:1

Compression ratio, 507 Touring Sport

Several figures in print.

  • 7.8:1Good sources agree: Bayerische Motoren Werke AG, BMW 507 Touring Sport (sales brochure), German, 1/1959, W 61 5 1.59⁠3; Sports Cars Illustrated, "Disc-Braked BMW 507" (road test), with the same issue's Frankfurt show report, Dec 1959, pp. 49–51, 104⁠11; Motor Trend, Annual guide: sports cars (the BMW 507 entry), Jan 1959, pp. 37–44 (BMW 507 p. 41)⁠18
  • 7.5–7.7:1One good source: Bill Boddy, "German high performance", Motor Sport, Nov 1956, p. 28, 503 and 507 engines, September 1956⁠7
  • 7.6:1One good source: Jesse Alexander, "Complete report on BMW 507", with "Factory test data" and "Late news from BMW", Sports Cars Illustrated, May 1957, pp. 18–21, 50, the text of the 1957 report⁠6
  • 7.5:1One good source: auto motor und sport, IAA report, "Technische Daten der deutschen Personenwagen" and "Preise der deutschen Personenwagen", Heft 20, 24 Sep 1955, the 1955 car⁠13
  • 9.0:1One good source: BMW V8 Club Deutschland, "Technische Daten 503 507 3200CS", the club's higher-compression engine of 165 PS⁠4
Fuel systemCarburetor
CarburettorsZenith
CoolingWater-cooled
Cylinder layoutV
Cylinders8
AspirationNaturally Aspirated
FuelPetrol
CycleFour-stroke
LubricationWet Sump

Contents

Performance

Sources for Performance, by version

Power
507 Touring Sport: Several figures in print.Bayerische Motoren Werke AG, BMW 507 Touring Sport (sales brochure), German, 1/1959, W 61 5 1.59⁠3; Sports Cars Illustrated, "Disc-Braked BMW 507" (road test), with the same issue's Frankfurt show report, Dec 1959, pp. 49–51, 104⁠11; Bayerische Motoren Werke AG, BMW 507 Touring Sport (sales brochure, French), French, 1/1958, W 61 f 5 1.58⁠8; Bill Boddy, "German high performance", Motor Sport, Nov 1956, p. 28⁠7; auto motor und sport, IAA report, "Technische Daten der deutschen Personenwagen" and "Preise der deutschen Personenwagen", Heft 20, 24 Sep 1955⁠13; BMW V8 Club Deutschland, "Technische Daten 503 507 3200CS"⁠4
Torque
507 Touring Sport: Good sources agree.At 4,000 rpm. Bayerische Motoren Werke AG, BMW 507 Touring Sport (sales brochure), German, 1/1959, W 61 5 1.59⁠3; Sports Cars Illustrated, "Disc-Braked BMW 507" (road test), with the same issue's Frankfurt show report, Dec 1959, pp. 49–51, 104⁠11
Top speed
507 Touring Sport: Several figures in print.Bayerische Motoren Werke AG, BMW 507 Touring Sport (sales brochure), German, 1/1959, W 61 5 1.59⁠3; Bayerische Motoren Werke AG, BMW 502 · 503 · 507 (V8 range catalogue), German, 1957, Nr. W 147⁠2; auto motor und sport, "Wie sie beschleunigen", Heft 4, 15 Feb 1958⁠15; Bill Boddy, "German high performance", Motor Sport, Nov 1956, p. 28⁠7; Motor Trend, Annual guide: sports cars (the BMW 507 entry), Jan 1959, pp. 37–44 (BMW 507 p. 41)⁠18
0–60 mph
507 Touring Sport: Several figures in print.Sports Cars Illustrated, "Disc-Braked BMW 507" (road test), with the same issue's Frankfurt show report, Dec 1959, pp. 49–51, 104⁠11; Jesse Alexander, "Complete report on BMW 507", with "Factory test data" and "Late news from BMW", Sports Cars Illustrated, May 1957, pp. 18–21, 50⁠6; Motor Trend, Annual guide: sports cars (the BMW 507 entry), Jan 1959, pp. 37–44 (BMW 507 p. 41)⁠18
507 Touring Sport
Power150 PS

Power, 507 Touring Sport

Several figures in print.

  • 150 PSGood sources agree: Bayerische Motoren Werke AG, BMW 507 Touring Sport (sales brochure), German, 1/1959, W 61 5 1.59, at 5,000 rpm⁠3; Sports Cars Illustrated, "Disc-Braked BMW 507" (road test), with the same issue's Frankfurt show report, Dec 1959, pp. 49–51, 104, DIN, at 5,000 rpm⁠11
  • 173 hpGood sources agree: Bayerische Motoren Werke AG, BMW 507 Touring Sport (sales brochure, French), French, 1/1958, W 61 f 5 1.58, SAE, at 5,000 rpm⁠8; Sports Cars Illustrated, "Disc-Braked BMW 507" (road test), with the same issue's Frankfurt show report, Dec 1959, pp. 49–51, 104, SAE, at 5,000 rpm⁠11
  • 150 hpOne good source: Bill Boddy, "German high performance", Motor Sport, Nov 1956, p. 28, at 5,500 rpm, the factory's data, September 1956⁠7
  • 140 PSOne good source: auto motor und sport, IAA report, "Technische Daten der deutschen Personenwagen" and "Preise der deutschen Personenwagen", Heft 20, 24 Sep 1955, at 4,800 rpm, the 1955 car⁠13
  • 165 PSOne good source: BMW V8 Club Deutschland, "Technische Daten 503 507 3200CS", at 5,800 rpm, the club's higher-compression engine⁠4
Torque24 kgf-m
Top speed205 km/h

Top speed, 507 Touring Sport

Several figures in print.

  • 205 km/hOne good source: Bayerische Motoren Werke AG, BMW 507 Touring Sport (sales brochure), German, 1/1959, W 61 5 1.59, BMW, in top gear on the standard 3.7 axle⁠3; Bayerische Motoren Werke AG, BMW 502 · 503 · 507 (V8 range catalogue), German, 1957, Nr. W 147, BMW, in top gear on the standard 3.7 axle⁠2
  • 220 km/hOne good source: Bayerische Motoren Werke AG, BMW 507 Touring Sport (sales brochure), German, 1/1959, W 61 5 1.59, BMW: about 220, closed, with undertray and the 3.42 axle⁠3
  • 196.5 km/hOne good source: auto motor und sport, "Wie sie beschleunigen", Heft 4, 15 Feb 1958, measured for Motor Revue, 3.7 axle, with hardtop⁠15
  • 125 mphOne good source: Bill Boddy, "German high performance", Motor Sport, Nov 1956, p. 28, the factory's prototype figures, September 1956: open, with the large screen⁠7; Motor Trend, Annual guide: sports cars (the BMW 507 entry), Jan 1959, pp. 37–44 (BMW 507 p. 41), "in the neighborhood of 125 mph"⁠18
  • 128 mphOne good source: Bill Boddy, "German high performance", Motor Sport, Nov 1956, p. 28, the factory's prototype figures, September 1956: "just over 128 mph" with the hood up⁠7
0–60 mph10.2 s

0–60 mph, 507 Touring Sport

Several figures in print.

  • 10.2 sOne good source: Sports Cars Illustrated, "Disc-Braked BMW 507" (road test), with the same issue's Frankfurt show report, Dec 1959, pp. 49–51, 104, measured, 3.70 axle⁠11
  • 7.2 sOne good source: Jesse Alexander, "Complete report on BMW 507", with "Factory test data" and "Late news from BMW", Sports Cars Illustrated, May 1957, pp. 18–21, 50, the factory's data, 1956 car⁠6
  • 9 sOne good source: Motor Trend, Annual guide: sports cars (the BMW 507 entry), Jan 1959, pp. 37–44 (BMW 507 p. 41), "slightly less than 9 seconds"; how measured not stated⁠18

Contents

Running gear

Sources for Running gear, by version

Steering
507 Touring Sport: One good source.Free of backlash; column adjustable for reach. Bayerische Motoren Werke AG, BMW 507 Touring Sport (sales brochure), German, 1/1959, W 61 5 1.59⁠3; Bayerische Motoren Werke AG, BMW 507 Touring Sport (sales brochure, French), French, 1/1958, W 61 f 5 1.58⁠8
Gearbox
507 Touring Sport: Good sources agree.Four-speed, all-synchromesh, floor lever. Bayerische Motoren Werke AG, BMW 507 Touring Sport (sales brochure), German, 1/1959, W 61 5 1.59⁠3; Jesse Alexander, "Complete report on BMW 507", with "Factory test data" and "Late news from BMW", Sports Cars Illustrated, May 1957, pp. 18–21, 50⁠6
Gears
507 Touring Sport: Good sources agree.Bayerische Motoren Werke AG, BMW 507 Touring Sport (sales brochure), German, 1/1959, W 61 5 1.59⁠3; Jesse Alexander, "Complete report on BMW 507", with "Factory test data" and "Late news from BMW", Sports Cars Illustrated, May 1957, pp. 18–21, 50⁠6
Layout
507 Touring Sport: Good sources agree.Banjo rear axle with hypoid drive. Bayerische Motoren Werke AG, BMW 507 Touring Sport (sales brochure), German, 1/1959, W 61 5 1.59⁠3; Sports Cars Illustrated, "Disc-Braked BMW 507" (road test), with the same issue's Frankfurt show report, Dec 1959, pp. 49–51, 104⁠11
Driven wheels
507 Touring Sport: Good sources agree.Bayerische Motoren Werke AG, BMW 507 Touring Sport (sales brochure), German, 1/1959, W 61 5 1.59⁠3; Gordon Wilkins, "BMW 503 and 507", Motor Trend, Jan 1958⁠9
Front brakes
507 Touring Sport: One good source.Alfin light-alloy drums; servo. Bayerische Motoren Werke AG, BMW 507 Touring Sport (sales brochure), German, 1/1959, W 61 5 1.59⁠3; Bayerische Motoren Werke AG, BMW 502 · 503 · 507 (V8 range catalogue), German, 1957, Nr. W 147⁠2
Rear brakes
507 Touring Sport: Good sources agree.Alfin light-alloy drums. Bayerische Motoren Werke AG, BMW 507 Touring Sport (sales brochure), German, 1/1959, W 61 5 1.59⁠3; Sports Cars Illustrated, "Disc-Braked BMW 507" (road test), with the same issue's Frankfurt show report, Dec 1959, pp. 49–51, 104⁠11
Front suspension
507 Touring Sport: Good sources agree.Bayerische Motoren Werke AG, BMW 507 Touring Sport (sales brochure), German, 1/1959, W 61 5 1.59⁠3; Sports Cars Illustrated, "Disc-Braked BMW 507" (road test), with the same issue's Frankfurt show report, Dec 1959, pp. 49–51, 104⁠11
Rear suspension
507 Touring Sport: Good sources agree.Banjo axle. Bayerische Motoren Werke AG, BMW 507 Touring Sport (sales brochure), German, 1/1959, W 61 5 1.59⁠3; Sports Cars Illustrated, "Disc-Braked BMW 507" (road test), with the same issue's Frankfurt show report, Dec 1959, pp. 49–51, 104⁠11
Tyres
507 Touring Sport: Good sources agree."extra Super Record". Bayerische Motoren Werke AG, BMW 507 Touring Sport (sales brochure), German, 1/1959, W 61 5 1.59⁠3; Sports Cars Illustrated, "Disc-Braked BMW 507" (road test), with the same issue's Frankfurt show report, Dec 1959, pp. 49–51, 104⁠11
Wheels
507 Touring Sport: One good source.Centre-lock wheels to order. Bayerische Motoren Werke AG, BMW 507 Touring Sport (sales brochure), German, 1/1959, W 61 5 1.59⁠3
Final drive
507 Touring Sport: One good source.Propeller shaft to the hypoid rear axle. Bayerische Motoren Werke AG, BMW 507 Touring Sport (sales brochure), German, 1/1959, W 61 5 1.59⁠3
Clutch
507 Touring Sport: One good source.BMW AG (BMW Group PressClub Czech Republic), "Zeitlose Eleganz: 50 Jahre BMW 507 und BMW 503", chapter of the press kit "Legenden der 50er Jahre: BMW 507 – BMW 503 – BMW Isetta", German, Apr 2005⁠1; Bayerische Motoren Werke AG, BMW 507 Touring Sport (sales brochure), German, 1/1959, W 61 5 1.59⁠3; Jesse Alexander, "Complete report on BMW 507", with "Factory test data" and "Late news from BMW", Sports Cars Illustrated, May 1957, pp. 18–21, 50⁠6
Starter
507 Touring Sport: One good source.A starter button. Sports Cars Illustrated, "Disc-Braked BMW 507" (road test), with the same issue's Frankfurt show report, Dec 1959, pp. 49–51, 104⁠11
507 Touring Sport
SteeringBevel gear
GearboxManual
Gears4
LayoutRWD
Driven wheelsGearbox flanged to the engine
Front brakesDrum, 284 mm, two leading shoe
Rear brakesDrum, 284 mm
Front suspensionIndependent, double wishbones, longitudinal torsion bars, anti-roll bar
Rear suspensionLive axle, longitudinal torsion bars, push-pull strut, Panhard rod
Tyres6.00 x 16
Wheels16 in steel disc, 4.50 E rims
Final driveShaft
ClutchDry single plate, hydraulically operated
StarterElectric

Contents

Body and chassis

Sources for Body and chassis, by version

Body
507 Touring Sport: Good sources agree.Two-seat roadster. Bayerische Motoren Werke AG, BMW 507 Touring Sport (sales brochure), German, 1/1959, W 61 5 1.59⁠3; Motor Trend, Annual guide: sports cars (the BMW 507 entry), Jan 1959, pp. 37–44 (BMW 507 p. 41)⁠18
Body material
507 Touring Sport: Good sources agree.The whole body. auto motor und sport, IAA report, "Technische Daten der deutschen Personenwagen" and "Preise der deutschen Personenwagen", Heft 20, 24 Sep 1955⁠13; Bayerische Motoren Werke AG, BMW 507 Touring Sport (sales brochure), German, 1/1959, W 61 5 1.59⁠3
Panels
507 Touring Sport: Good sources agree.The whole body. auto motor und sport, IAA report, "Technische Daten der deutschen Personenwagen" and "Preise der deutschen Personenwagen", Heft 20, 24 Sep 1955⁠13; Bayerische Motoren Werke AG, BMW 507 Touring Sport (sales brochure), German, 1/1959, W 61 5 1.59⁠3
Seats
507 Touring Sport: Good sources agree.auto motor und sport, IAA report, "Technische Daten der deutschen Personenwagen" and "Preise der deutschen Personenwagen", Heft 20, 24 Sep 1955⁠13; Bayerische Motoren Werke AG, BMW 507 Touring Sport (sales brochure), German, 1/1959, W 61 5 1.59⁠3
Chassis material
507 Touring Sport: One good source.Sheet-steel pressings (the 501/502 frame the 507's was shortened from). Denis Jenkinson ("D.S.J."), "At the House of B.M.W.", Motor Sport, Nov 1955, p. 46⁠5
Chassis
507 Touring Sport: Good sources agree.Bayerische Motoren Werke AG, BMW 507 Touring Sport (sales brochure), German, 1/1959, W 61 5 1.59⁠3; Gordon Wilkins, "BMW 503 and 507", Motor Trend, Jan 1958⁠9
507 Touring Sport
BodyRoadster
Body materialAluminium
PanelsAluminium
Seats2
Chassis materialSteel
ChassisBox-section frame, tubular cross-members

Contents

Dimensions and weight

Sources for Dimensions and weight, by version

Length
507 Touring Sport: Several figures in print.Bayerische Motoren Werke AG, BMW 502 · 503 · 507 (V8 range catalogue), German, 1957, Nr. W 147⁠2; auto motor und sport, IAA report, "Technische Daten der deutschen Personenwagen" and "Preise der deutschen Personenwagen", Heft 20, 24 Sep 1955⁠13; Sports Cars Illustrated, "Disc-Braked BMW 507" (road test), with the same issue's Frankfurt show report, Dec 1959, pp. 49–51, 104⁠11; Motor Trend, Annual guide: sports cars (the BMW 507 entry), Jan 1959, pp. 37–44 (BMW 507 p. 41)⁠18
Width
507 Touring Sport: Several figures in print.Bayerische Motoren Werke AG, BMW 502 · 503 · 507 (V8 range catalogue), German, 1957, Nr. W 147⁠2; auto motor und sport, IAA report, "Technische Daten der deutschen Personenwagen" and "Preise der deutschen Personenwagen", Heft 20, 24 Sep 1955⁠13; Sports Cars Illustrated, "Disc-Braked BMW 507" (road test), with the same issue's Frankfurt show report, Dec 1959, pp. 49–51, 104⁠11; Bayerische Motoren Werke AG, BMW 507 Touring Sport (sales brochure), German, 1/1959, W 61 5 1.59⁠3
Height
507 Touring Sport: Several figures in print.Bayerische Motoren Werke AG, BMW 502 · 503 · 507 (V8 range catalogue), German, 1957, Nr. W 147⁠2; Bayerische Motoren Werke AG, BMW 507 Touring Sport (sales brochure), German, 1/1959, W 61 5 1.59⁠3; Sports Cars Illustrated, "Disc-Braked BMW 507" (road test), with the same issue's Frankfurt show report, Dec 1959, pp. 49–51, 104⁠11; auto motor und sport, IAA report, "Technische Daten der deutschen Personenwagen" and "Preise der deutschen Personenwagen", Heft 20, 24 Sep 1955⁠13
Kerb weight
507 Touring Sport: Several figures in print.Bayerische Motoren Werke AG, BMW 502 · 503 · 507 (V8 range catalogue), German, 1957, Nr. W 147⁠2; Bayerische Motoren Werke AG, BMW 507 Touring Sport (sales brochure, French), French, 1/1958, W 61 f 5 1.58⁠8; Bayerische Motoren Werke AG, BMW 507 Touring Sport (sales brochure), German, 1/1959, W 61 5 1.59⁠3; Bill Boddy, "German high performance", Motor Sport, Nov 1956, p. 28⁠7; BMW AG (BMW Group PressClub Czech Republic), "Zeitlose Eleganz: 50 Jahre BMW 507 und BMW 503", chapter of the press kit "Legenden der 50er Jahre: BMW 507 – BMW 503 – BMW Isetta", German, Apr 2005⁠1; auto motor und sport, New-car price list ("Preise"), with the Motor Revue advertisement, Heft 21, 11 Oct 1958⁠14; BMW V8 Club Deutschland, "Technische Daten 503 507 3200CS"⁠4; Sports Cars Illustrated, "Disc-Braked BMW 507" (road test), with the same issue's Frankfurt show report, Dec 1959, pp. 49–51, 104⁠11
Wheelbase
507 Touring Sport: Good sources agree.Bayerische Motoren Werke AG, BMW 507 Touring Sport (sales brochure), German, 1/1959, W 61 5 1.59⁠3; auto motor und sport, IAA report, "Technische Daten der deutschen Personenwagen" and "Preise der deutschen Personenwagen", Heft 20, 24 Sep 1955⁠13; Sports Cars Illustrated, "Disc-Braked BMW 507" (road test), with the same issue's Frankfurt show report, Dec 1959, pp. 49–51, 104⁠11
507 Touring Sport
Length4,380 mm

Length, 507 Touring Sport

Several figures in print.

  • 4,380 mmGood sources agree: Bayerische Motoren Werke AG, BMW 502 · 503 · 507 (V8 range catalogue), German, 1957, Nr. W 147⁠2; auto motor und sport, IAA report, "Technische Daten der deutschen Personenwagen" and "Preise der deutschen Personenwagen", Heft 20, 24 Sep 1955, the 1955 car⁠13
  • 173 inGood sources agree: Sports Cars Illustrated, "Disc-Braked BMW 507" (road test), with the same issue's Frankfurt show report, Dec 1959, pp. 49–51, 104⁠11; Motor Trend, Annual guide: sports cars (the BMW 507 entry), Jan 1959, pp. 37–44 (BMW 507 p. 41)⁠18
Width1,650 mm

Width, 507 Touring Sport

Several figures in print.

  • 1,650 mmGood sources agree: Bayerische Motoren Werke AG, BMW 502 · 503 · 507 (V8 range catalogue), German, 1957, Nr. W 147, 1957⁠2; auto motor und sport, IAA report, "Technische Daten der deutschen Personenwagen" and "Preise der deutschen Personenwagen", Heft 20, 24 Sep 1955, the 1955 car⁠13; Sports Cars Illustrated, "Disc-Braked BMW 507" (road test), with the same issue's Frankfurt show report, Dec 1959, pp. 49–51, 104⁠11
  • 1,680 mmOne good source: Bayerische Motoren Werke AG, BMW 507 Touring Sport (sales brochure), German, 1/1959, W 61 5 1.59, 1959 brochure⁠3
Height1,260 mm

Height, 507 Touring Sport

Several figures in print.

  • 1,260 mmOne good source: Bayerische Motoren Werke AG, BMW 502 · 503 · 507 (V8 range catalogue), German, 1957, Nr. W 147, laden⁠2; Bayerische Motoren Werke AG, BMW 507 Touring Sport (sales brochure), German, 1/1959, W 61 5 1.59, laden⁠3
  • 49.5 inOne good source: Sports Cars Illustrated, "Disc-Braked BMW 507" (road test), with the same issue's Frankfurt show report, Dec 1959, pp. 49–51, 104⁠11
  • 1,280 mmOne good source: auto motor und sport, IAA report, "Technische Daten der deutschen Personenwagen" and "Preise der deutschen Personenwagen", Heft 20, 24 Sep 1955, the 1955 car⁠13
Kerb weight1,260 kg

Kerb weight, 507 Touring Sport

Several figures in print.

  • 1,260 kgOne good source: Bayerische Motoren Werke AG, BMW 502 · 503 · 507 (V8 range catalogue), German, 1957, Nr. W 147, about 1,260, ready to drive, 1957⁠2; Bayerische Motoren Werke AG, BMW 507 Touring Sport (sales brochure, French), French, 1/1958, W 61 f 5 1.58, about 1,260, ready to drive, January 1958⁠8
  • 1,280 kgOne good source: Bayerische Motoren Werke AG, BMW 507 Touring Sport (sales brochure), German, 1/1959, W 61 5 1.59, about 1,280, ready to drive, 1959⁠3
  • 1,310 kgOne good source: Bill Boddy, "German high performance", Motor Sport, Nov 1956, p. 28, empty, the factory's figure, September 1956⁠7
  • 1,220 kgOne good source: BMW AG (BMW Group PressClub Czech Republic), "Zeitlose Eleganz: 50 Jahre BMW 507 und BMW 503", chapter of the press kit "Legenden der 50er Jahre: BMW 507 – BMW 503 – BMW Isetta", German, Apr 2005, "Leergewicht"⁠1
  • 1,330 kgOne good source: auto motor und sport, New-car price list ("Preise"), with the Motor Revue advertisement, Heft 21, 11 Oct 1958, the test car⁠14; BMW V8 Club Deutschland, "Technische Daten 503 507 3200CS", the club's data sheet⁠4
  • 2,840 lbOne good source: Sports Cars Illustrated, "Disc-Braked BMW 507" (road test), with the same issue's Frankfurt show report, Dec 1959, pp. 49–51, 104, kerb, full tank⁠11
Wheelbase2,480 mm

Contents

Sources

Every source the site cites is on the sources page.

  • Primarymade at the time, by the maker or by people who were there
  • Referenceserious later work: clubs, specialists, magazines, books
  1. BMW AG (BMW Group PressClub Czech Republic), "Zeitlose Eleganz: 50 Jahre BMW 507 und BMW 503", chapter of the press kit "Legenden der 50er Jahre: BMW 507 – BMW 503 – BMW Isetta", German, Apr 2005, the V8 shown at Geneva in 1954, first in the saloons; the data sheet: "2 Zenith Doppel-Fallstromvergaser 32 NDIX"; the 502's and 503's separate gearbox under the front seats; the data sheet, "Vollschutz-Kastenrahmen mit Rohrquerträgern"; the frame shortened from the 502's; the steering, "das Prinzip der Zahnstangenlenkung auf ein Tellerradsegment"; "Leergewicht"; the tank under the boot floor from June 1957; the British price in the 1957 price list; 507/503 chapter; 507/503 chapter (first customer delivery; the 1959 annual report as BMW quotes it); data sheet; data sheet, "Kupplung". press.bmwgroup.com/czech/article/attachment/T0066597CS/96056 Primary
  2. Bayerische Motoren Werke AG, BMW 502 · 503 · 507 (V8 range catalogue), German, 1957, Nr. W 147, the 507 data page; "Motor": wet liners, valve gear "mit Temperaturausgleich", pistons, heat exchanger, two downdraught twin-choke carburettors with starting carburettor; "Geräuscharmes Viergang-Getriebe am Motor angeflanscht"; the ratios; the 503's gearbox "unter den Vordersitzen"; "Knüppelschaltung zwischen den Sitzen"; "Rahmen": "Vollschutz-Kastenrahmen mit starken Rohrquerträgern und fest verbundenem Aufbau"; the suspension and "Lenkung"; the caption to the 502 x-ray picture; "Bremsen": duplex front, simplex rear, the adjusters, the ATE servo, the Alfin drums; the wheels; the dimensions, "Gewicht fahrfertig", "Kraftstoffnormverbrauch"; "Höchstgeschwindigkeit" and "Geschwindigkeit in den einzelnen Gängen"; 507 data page, speeds in the gears; 507 data page, "Bremsen"; 507 data page, "Größte Länge"; 507 data page, "Größte Breite"; 507 data page, "Größte Höhe (besetzt)"; 507 data page, "Gewicht fahrfertig". archive.org/details/100_20260601 Primary
  3. Bayerische Motoren Werke AG, BMW 507 Touring Sport (sales brochure), German, 1/1959, W 61 5 1.59, the data page; the engine: "automatischer Ventilspiel-Ausgleich"; five main bearings; "Das am Motor angeblockte Vierganggetriebe"; the clutch; the axle ratios; the frame; the suspension and steering; "Wendekreis"; the drums "mit Grauguß-Bremsring"; the cooling air; the wheels and tyres; the dimensions, "Größte Breite", the weight and consumption to DIN 70030; data page, "Hubraum"; prose and data page; data page, "Ventilbetätigung"; data page, "Bohrung", "Hub"; data page, "Verdichtungsverhältnis"; data page, "Vergaser"; data page, "Motorart"; data page, "Motorleistung"; data page, "Max. Drehmoment"; data page, speeds in the gears; data page, "Höchstgeschwindigkeit"; data page, "Lenkung"; data page, "Getriebe"; data page, "Hinterachse"; data page, "Bremsen"; data page, "Vorderachse"; data page, "Hinterachse"; prose; data page, "Bereifung"; data page, "Bereifung"; extras list; data page, "Getriebe" and "Hinterachse"; prose; data page, "Rahmen"; data page, "Größte Breite"; data page, "Größte Höhe"; data page, "Gewicht fahrfertig"; data page, "Radstand". archive.org/details/1959-bmw-507-touring-sport-brochure.-w-61-5-1.-59-0 Primary
  4. BMW V8 Club Deutschland, "Technische Daten 503 507 3200CS", ZF S4-15; ZF type S4-15; the ratios; 1959: "keine automatische Bremsnachstellung mehr"; data sheet. bmw-v8-club.de/fahrzeuge/8-zylinder-baureihe/techniche-daten-503-507-3200-cs.html Reference
  5. Denis Jenkinson ("D.S.J."), "At the House of B.M.W.", Motor Sport, Nov 1955, p. 46, p. 46, the V8: the block, liners, camshaft, rockers on studs, bearings, oil cooler, balancing; the quotation; p. 46, the frame "of large-diameter tubular construction" with side members "fabricated from sheet steel pressings"; p. 46, the 501's steering, "a form of rack and pinion"; the V8 paragraphs; the V8 paragraph; the frame paragraph. motorsportmagazine.com/archive/article/november-1955/46/at-the-house-of-bmw Primary
  6. Jesse Alexander, "Complete report on BMW 507", with "Factory test data" and "Late news from BMW", Sports Cars Illustrated, May 1957, pp. 18–21, 50, pp. 20–21, the 507 engine against the 502's; "Dual Zenith downdraught carburetors"; p. 50, the factory's 0–60 mph time; "Late news from BMW", the announced price; "Late news from BMW" box; text; specifications chart; text, p. 50. archive.org/details/sim_car-and-driver_1957-05_2 Primary
  7. Bill Boddy, "German high performance", Motor Sport, Nov 1956, p. 28, the 503 and 507 engines compared; the bench tests on the Schenck water brake; the bonnet and boot lid on torsion-bar stays; "German-made Alfin drums"; von Falkenhausen's figures; the quotation; von Falkenhausen's acceleration figures for the prototype; the British forecast of November 1956; the 507 paragraph; the BMW factory paragraph; the engine-test paragraph; the engine paragraph. motorsportmagazine.com/archive/article/november-1956/28/german-high-performance Primary
  8. Bayerische Motoren Werke AG, BMW 507 Touring Sport (sales brochure, French), French, 1/1958, W 61 f 5 1.58, "Puissance", the SAE figure; "boîte silencieuse à quatre vitesses faisant corps avec le moteur"; "embrayage monodisque hydraulique"; "engrenages coniques, sans jeu"; the turning circle; "Vitesse maximum", "avec capote remontée"; data page, "Puissance"; data page, "Direction"; data page, "Poids". archive.org/details/101_20260417 Primary
  9. Gordon Wilkins, "BMW 503 and 507", Motor Trend, Jan 1958, "a four-speed, synchromesh gearbox in unit with the engine"; the 503's "mounted separately"; "box section side members and tubular crossmembers"; the BMW pages. archive.org/details/sim_motor-trend_1958-01_10_1 Primary
  10. BMW Group Classic (BMW Classic blog), "60 Years of Pure Temptation", 2015, "positioned quite a bit further back by means of a short drive shaft". presstopic.bmwgroup.com/en/bmw-classic-blog/text/60-YEARS-OF-PURE-TEMPTATION-4484.html Primary
  11. Sports Cars Illustrated, "Disc-Braked BMW 507" (road test), with the same issue's Frankfurt show report, Dec 1959, pp. 49–51, 104, p. 104, the ZF gearbox and the Maserati 3500GT; the data panel: "Ladder-type tubular frame"; p. 104 and the data panel: "a pinion and sector"; turns lock to lock; p. 104, the fade at eight- to nine-tenths; the Dunlop discs for 1960; the data panel: kerb weight with a full tank; 14–24 mpg; p. 104, the factory's maxima for three axles and SCI's doubt; the data panel, the measured times on the 3.70 axle; p. 104, the quotation; the data panel, the test car's price; data panel, p. 51 (page image); data panel, power unit; p. 49 text; data panel, valve operation; data panel, power; data panel, torque; data panel, acceleration; data panel, drive train; data panel, brakes; data panel, front suspension; data panel, rear suspension; data panel, tire size; road-test text beside the data panel; data panel, general; data panel, chassis. archive.org/details/sim_car-and-driver_1959-12_5 Primary
  12. Alex Harmer, "Sisters under the skin?", Motor Sport, Feb 1987, p. 17, "the lateral movement across the gate is enormous"; "tubular chassis"; the ride; Jenkinson, von Falkenhausen and the brakes, as recalled; "originally quoted"; the British price, tax-paid; paragraph on the British importers; paragraph on the production run. motorsportmagazine.com/archive/article/february-1987/17/sisters-under-the-skin Reference
  13. auto motor und sport, IAA report, "Technische Daten der deutschen Personenwagen" and "Preise der deutschen Personenwagen", Heft 20, 24 Sep 1955, "Die ganze Karosserie besteht aus Leichtmetall"; the brake servo as an extra in 1955; the 1955 car's weight; the price list "Stand vom 22. September 1955", "Heizung serienmäßig"; price list "Stand vom 22. September 1955"; IAA report; "Technische Daten" table, the 507 Touring-Sport row; "Technische Daten" table, cooling column "W"; "Technische Daten" table, fuel column; price list; "Technische Daten" table. archive.org/details/auto-motor-und-sport-1955-heft-20 Primary
  14. auto motor und sport, New-car price list ("Preise"), with the Motor Revue advertisement, Heft 21, 11 Oct 1958, the *Motor Revue* advertisement: the test car's weight; the list of 30 September 1958; price list "Stand vom 30. September 1958"; the Motor Revue advertisement. archive.org/details/auto-motor-und-sport-1958-heft-21 Primary
  15. auto motor und sport, "Wie sie beschleunigen", Heft 4, 15 Feb 1958, the measured runs for *Motor Revue*: the hardtop and the 3.7 axle; 0–100 km/h with the hardtop; the comparison with the 300 SL roadster; text and table. archive.org/details/auto-motor-und-sport-1958-heft-4 Primary
  16. Sebastian Renz, "BMW 507 von Elvis Presley: Das Auto des Kings lebt", auto motor und sport, 16/2014; online 23 Jul 2014, the *Motor Revue* test car, M-JX 800. web.archive.org/web/2015id_/https://www.auto-motor-und-sport.de/reise/bmw-507-von-elvis-presley-das-auto-des-kings-lebt Reference
  17. Jackie Jouret, "Elvis' 507: The real story", Bimmer, No. 83, Jun 2009; republished on bimmer-mag.com, 28 Jul 2014, the works demonstrator lent for road tests. web.archive.org/web/2016id_/http://www.bimmer-mag.com:80/news-blog/elvis-507-the-real-story Reference
  18. Motor Trend, Annual guide: sports cars (the BMW 507 entry), Jan 1959, pp. 37–44 (BMW 507 p. 41), p. 41, 0–60 mph, source not stated; p. 41, "Price (port of entry)"; p. 41, the BMW 507 entry; p. 41. archive.org/details/sim_motor-trend_1959-01_11_1 Primary
  19. auto motor und sport, New-car price list ("Preise"), Heft 6/1956, the list of 1 March 1956 and the hardtop; price list. archive.org/details/auto-motor-und-sport-1956-heft-6 Primary
  20. auto motor und sport, New-car price list ("Preise"), Heft 15, 19 Jul 1958, the list of 15 July 1958; price list "Stand vom 15. Juli 1958". archive.org/details/auto-motor-und-sport-1958-heft-15 Primary
  21. Motor Sport, "Earls Court Reviewed", Nov 1959, p. 39, BMW 507, stand 122, "Price"; BMW stand 122, "Price". motorsportmagazine.com/archive/article/november-1959/39/earls-court-reviewed Primary
  22. Automotive News (Crain Communications), via Internet Archive, "Port-of-Entry Prices On Imported Cars", 11 May 1959, vol. 33 no. 3706; also 14 Sep 1959 (vol. 34 no. 3724) and 14 Mar 1960 (vol. 35 no. 3750), the port-of-entry lists of 1959–60; "Port-of-Entry Prices On Imported Cars", 11 May 1959. archive.org/details/sim_automotive-news_1959-05-11_33_3706 Primary
  23. auto motor und sport, New-car price list ("Preise"), Heft 12/1956, price list. archive.org/details/auto-motor-und-sport-1956-heft-12 Primary
  24. Der Spiegel, "BMW: Das rettende Modell", 20/1959, 12 May 1959, article text. spiegel.de/politik/das-rettende-modell-a-4829ddb4-0002-0001-0000-000046162557 Primary
  25. BMW V8 Club Deutschland, "Modellübersicht 503 507 3200 CS", "ab November 1956"; "im März 1959 wieder eingestellt". bmw-v8-club.de/fahrzeuge/8-zylinder-baureihe/modeluebersicht-503-507-3200-cs.html Reference
  26. Industrial Design, Profile of Albrecht Graf Goertz, Aug 1959 (vol. 6 no. 8), pp. 50–51, pp. 50–51. archive.org/details/sim_i-d_1959-08_6_8 Primary

Contents