In our first instalment of “That’s not a car, that’s just pornography”, I’d like to bring to your attention the BMW 507.
I have a bit of a weakness for this car. I think it’s because I feel better about life just knowing that it exists.
It comes from an era when the Jag E-Type was redefining what sports cars, and indeed cars, were capable of. 150mph was a heady speed back then, especially when the whole thing was probably held together with leather straps. It did that though while looking fantastic, which was just revolutionary.
BMW needed something with which to take the Jag head on and the commissioned a designer who’s middle name was ‘Zeppo’ to pen this. I think designers who have middle names should be commissioned more often.
The result is sumptuous. Flowing lines like this just don’t exist anymore. Everything has to be hard edged and sporty and upgradeable to an R-version. The 507 is a reminder that at one stage none of that mattered. What did matter was creating a car that would make men lustful and women lustful for those men who could afford one.
Powered by an aluminium 3.2 litre V8, the 507 TS (Touring Sport) made do with a heart stopping 160hp and was capable of a breathtaking 141mph (227km/h).
But none of that was important either.
The car, much like the lovely individuals who occupied the passenger seat, was a heartbreaker. BMW lost money on every 507 made and after just 252 they shut down production. A cash injection from a rich baron was needed to resurrect their finances.
But, like most things that were done right the first time, those cars kept their value magnificently. Bernie Ecclestone sold his on auction or US$904 000, and if you want one today you’d have to get about US$1.5million together.
If you don’t have that sort of money in your sock drawer, here’s a gallery to ease the pain. Hopefully you’ll feel better too.
In our first instalment of “That’s not a car, that’s just pornography”, I’d like to bring to your attention the BMW 507.
I have a bit of a weakness for this car. I think it’s because I feel better about life just knowing that it exists.
It comes from an era when the Jag E-Type was redefining what sports cars, and indeed cars, were capable of. 150mph was a heady speed back then, especially when the whole thing was probably held together with leather straps. It did that though while looking fantastic, which was just revolutionary.
BMW needed something with which to take the Jag head on and the commissioned a designer who’s middle name was ‘Zeppo’ to pen this. I think designers who have middle names should be commissioned more often.
The result is sumptuous. Flowing lines like this just don’t exist anymore. Everything has to be hard edged and sporty and upgradeable to an R-version. The 507 is a reminder that at one stage none of that mattered. What did matter was creating a car that would make men lustful and women lustful for those men who could afford one.
Powered by an aluminium 3.2 litre V8, the 507 TS (Touring Sport) made do with a heart stopping 160hp and was capable of a breathtaking 141mph (227km/h).
But none of that was important either.
The car, much like the lovely individuals who occupied the passenger seat, was a heartbreaker. BMW lost money on every 507 made and after just 252 they shut down production. A cash injection from a rich baron was needed to resurrect their finances.
But, like most things that were done right the first time, those cars kept their value magnificently. Bernie Ecclestone sold his on auction or US$904 000, and if you want one today you’d have to get about US$1.5million together.
If you don’t have that sort of money in your sock drawer, here’s a gallery to ease the pain. Hopefully you’ll feel better too.
Great article. But pornography: is it degrading to automobiles?
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Ciro Reply:
September 29th, 2009 at 5:18 pm
@Murray Hunter, only if you look under its bonnet. Or take the top down.
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I just went from South to North
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certainly gives me a hard on. how much do these go for? where can we find one?
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