At the end of World War II, BMW was in a more precarious position than Mercedes-Benz in Stuttgart, largely due to its major plant in Eisenach, Saxony, falling within the Russian Zone and becoming isolated behind the ‘Iron Curtain’.
Despite these challenges, BMW resumed car production in 1952, introducing the 501 luxury saloon—a bold move for a nation still recovering from the war’s devastation. Announced in 1951, the 501 initially used a pre-war six-cylinder engine but received a significant performance upgrade with a 2.6-liter V8 in 1954, designed by Alfred Böning and inspired by American V8s, though made entirely of aluminum. By late 1955, a 3.2-liter version emerged, rebranding the model as the 502.
BMW’s Sales Director Hanns Grewenig advocated for a V8 sports car, a vision realized after Mercedes-Benz’s 300SL spurred approval. Influenced by Max Hoffman, BMW enlisted Count Albrecht von Goertz to design the car.
Debuting at the 1955 Frankfurt Auto Show, the 503 Coupe and Cabriolet, with their elegant designs and advanced features like an electrically operated top and windows, garnered acclaim. The 503 attracted a wealthy clientele, producing only 206 Coupes and 129 Cabriolets between 1956 and 1960, known for their high quality and exclusivity.
Photos by Darin Schnabel courtesy of RM Sotheby’s
