1959 BMW 507 Roadster

Mecum, Kissimmee, Florida

January

BMW was once a much smaller manufacturer, but it was able to thread the needle so that it had cars available at just about every price point The tiny Isetta was built by BMW under licence, the 501, 502 and 503 cars were serious contenders in their respective categories and, at the other end of the spectrum, the 507 was crossed-shopped by 300SL buyers

The507wasararesightwhennewandistoughtofindnow Speculation isthatalittleover200survivetodayandinrecentyearsthelatercarshave been selling for stronger money than the earlier builds After a high launch price of $8988 in 1956, by the time the example you see here was manufactured the base price had risen to $10,500, well beyond expected sports car money and firmly in the league of luxury car pricing

This very late-production Series II car was fully restored in 2001, and has been part of a collection since that time It is said to have the optional four-wheel disc brakes, a Blaupunkt radio, three-piece fitted luggage and a hardtop That factory hardtop is a very rare option, with perhaps fewer than 20 cars so equipped

This late-production TR7 was one of the first cars to roll through the giant Mecum Kissimmee Auction It’s easy to pass undiscovered in a crowd when 4000 cars go under the hammer in nine days, and this handsome Triumph found a new owner at a bargain price of $3300 Plus, even though the old vinyl roof was still in place, a new top was included in a box