Renowned New York importer Max Hoffman, much like with the Porsche 356 Speedster and Mercedes-Benz 300 SL, played a pivotal role in the creation of the beautiful 507 Roadster. Spotting a gap in the market, he leaned on BMW to build a less expensive rival to Mercedes-Benz’s offering. The resulting cruiser, which was beautifully styled by Count Albrecht Goertz and equipped with a 3.2-litre alloy V-8 engine paired with a four-speed manual gearbox, ranks as possibly the most desirable design ever to emerge wearing the famous roundel badge. With BMW believed to have lost money on ever car sold, just 252 examples were built during a production run that lasted between 1956 and 1959.

Correspondence with BMW reveals that chassis 70136, offered here, holds a 5 May 1958 production date. As one of just 218 examples of the updated Series II model, it benefits from improved cabin and luggage space. Finished originally in the shade Altelfenbein (old ivory), this 507 Roadster is believed to have been initially displayed at the BMW Pavillon in Munich before being imported to the Cuban capital Havana on 7 June 1958.

Although the complete history thereafter is not known, the car moved to Germany in the mid-1980s before being purchased by the consignor in 1988. Soon after, a six-year restoration was embarked upon. The owner reports that Munich-based marque specialist Brummer carried out the mechanical overall, while the bodywork was tended to by Hagl in Attenkirchen, Bavaria (supporting photos available on request). The total price for the work is said to have amounted to 560,000 Deutsche Mark.

Presented today in black, with matching centre-lock Rudge wheels and folding soft-top roof, the interior is trimmed with grey upholstery. A correct-type 3,168-cc V-8 is currently installed, although chassis 70136 is notably accompanied by its matching-numbers engine stamped 40147. The car is further complemented by a rare colour-matching hard-top roof, plus spare fuel tank, and its owner’s guides.

Famously owned by the likes of Elvis Presley, John Surtees, Bernie Ecclestone, and Ursula Andress, the BMW 507 Roadster is among the most glamorous automotive creations of all time. Chassis 70136, offered following some 36 years of ownership, is now ready to star as part of a new collection.