BMW 507 – #70080 | radicalmag classics

Pimped up

It’s been a long time since radical had the opportunity to drive a BMW 507. It was disappointing, to say the least: the roadster’s performance is in stark contrast to its visual beauty. So we can understand why an owner might want a little more power, especially if they only want to ‘tune’ the original engine using modern materials and precision tools to achieve the desired result. It’s good that they went for 225 horsepower instead of the original 150, although that might be a bit much. Other changes, such as the anthracite paintwork, are unlikely to thrill fans of originality, but the colour suits the Goertz design perfectly. However, all this has an impact on the price: #70080 is listed at RM Sotheby’s Private Sales for 1.95 million euros – ‘clean’ 507s are also trading for well over two million. (Although prices are a bit of an issue at the moment, since the dollar has crashed, it is now much more worthwhile to buy in the USA; there are no export taxes as yet.)

VIN: 70080
Engine: 40095
For sale ati RM Sotheby’s, Private Sales, 1,95 million Euro, with these informations: «As an early Series II car, this striking example benefits from the enhanced ergonomics introduced from mid-1957 onwards, not to mention the desirable optional front disc brakes and Rudge centre-lock wheels. Regrettably, little is presently known as to chassis 70080’s early history but it would appear that the car was originally exported to the United States, where it was first registered on 1 August 1957. By the mid-1980s, it had reverted to European ownership; the car being acquired around this time by Albert Keller, appropriately domiciled in BMW’s home city of Munich, Germany. Herr Keller evidently owned the car for several years, with his custody being noted in both the BMW 507 Register of 1985–compiled by the BMW Vintage Club of America–and the corresponding publication of 1987/88. However, by the late 1990s it had returned to the United States; the car being offered for sale at auction in Las Vegas, Nevada in 1999, at which point it displayed an odometer reading of just 54,183 miles. In the early 2010s, 70080 was acquired by the noted French collector Henri Chambon, whose collection at one time or another included a Bugatti Type 57C Atalante, Ferrari 250 GT SWB and the 1964 Tour de France Automobile-winning Ferrari 250 GTO. In his ownership, the car was entrusted to respected engine authority Raphaël Rondoni, who promptly embarked upon an exhaustive two-year restoration. This included a comprehensive engine rebuild in 2012-2013 by Bugatti master craftsmen Ventoux Moteurs Ingénierie of Carpentras, France, at a cost in excess of €50,000. Once disassembled, the engine work performed included machining of the cylinder block and cylinder head faces and the fitment of a new steel crankshaft, cylinder liners, Arrow “H-section” connecting rods, high compression Wossner forged pistons, an uprated camshaft and new high-tensile cylinder head studs. Additionally, the cylinder heads benefitted from new Xceldine titanium valves, valve springs, beryllium bronze valve seats and guides and further machining to the combustion chambers, while the lubrication system and oil pump were appropriately uprated. All ancillary components–such as the water pump, starter motor and carburettors–were completely overhauled, while the distributor was converted from conventional “points” to electronic ignition, to enhance practicality and reliability. Finally, a custom-made tubular exhaust system was fitted with the dual purpose of both improving performance and saving weight. Upon completion of the work, the engine was bench tested by Ventoux Moteurs and was found to produce 225 horsepower–a significant increase of some 75 horsepower over the original figure quoted by BMW. Concurrent with the engine rebuild, the car was entrusted to accomplished upholsterer and trimmer Raymond Ratto of Cannes, France, who was tasked with re-trimming it with red leather seats and red carpets to original 507 specification. A new black Alpaca hood was also fitted, together with a black hood bag and red tonneau cover, while the rear luggage area was re-trimmed with grey carpet. To further improve practicality and driver enjoyment, electronically-assisted rack and pinion power steering was fitted, although the original factory fitment items accompany the car as a condition of sale. Finally, an alternator was fitted in place of the original dynamo to ensure that more consistent and reliable electrical charging could be achieved. Following the conclusion of the restoration, the car provided M. Chambon with several years of exhilarating, trouble-free motoring, during which time some 25,000 kilometres were covered. However, the decision was taken in 2021 to remove the engine for subsequent disassembly and routine inspection by Ventoux Moteurs. At this point, the engine was once again fitted with new cylinder liners, with all shell bearings also being replaced, the tappets modified with new anti-friction material, the camshaft bearing lubrication system optimised and spark plug inserts fitted. Furthermore, the car was also subjected to a complete gearbox rebuild–including the fitment of all new bearings and syncromeshes, and a new clutch–and a complete overhaul of the back axle. In March 2022, 70080 was acquired from M. Chambon by the consigning owner; 3,000 kilometers had been covered since the previous year’s engine refresh. In the present ownership, usage of the car has been modest, but its maintenance no less fastidious than that performed previously; a fact confirmed by the carrying out of a comprehensive service–including the fitment of a new fuel gauge and cooling fan sensor–by Heritage Motor Cars of Paris as recently as July 2022, at a cost of some €2,257».