Latest news with #MaxHoffman
Auto Blog
4 days ago
- Automotive
- Auto Blog
Ultra-Rare BMW 507 For Sale With Eye-Popping Pricetag
A rare example of one of BMW's early sports cars is up for sale, but it's unlikely we'll be able to afford it. A rare piece of German motoring You can never go wrong with a vintage BMW. The German automaker's classic examples have a special way of combining slim bodylines and a svelte silhouette with sheer, menacing performance under the hood. This 1959 BMW 5078 Series II on Bring a Trailer is a perfect example of what I mean. 1959 BMW 507 Series II w/Hardtop — Source: Bring a Trailer/Hyman Ltd When US importer Max Hoffman suggested that BMW design as mid-level sports car for the North American market, BMW replied with the 507. Featuring hand-built aluminum bodywork styled by Albrecht von Goertz, the 507 debuted in 1955 at the Waldorf Astoria Hotel in New York City before entering production in late 1956. In 1957, the Series II debuted with a smaller fuel tank relocated from behind the seats to inside the trunk to prevent fumes from entering the cabin. This particular example, Chassis 70185, is one of only 252 built during the model's three years of production and was completed on October 6, 1958 as a Feather White car before being delivered new on October 31, 1958, to Autohaus H. Bäte KG in Hannover, Germany. The car reportedly underwent a refurbishment around 2012 that included a repaint in its current shade of Coral Red and a refinishing of its hardtop in an ivory color. The 507 was then acquired in 2022 by German specialists Arthur Bechtel Classic Motors, who re-trimmed the interior in tan leather. 1959 BMW 507 Series II w/Hardtop What sets this particular BMW 507 apart from others is its ivory hardtop that can be installed when the beige convertible top is not in use. Hardtops were optional equipment at the time and were hand-built to fit each car's hand-built bodywork, making them particularly rare and special accessories to own. Autoblog Newsletter Autoblog brings you car news; expert reviews and exciting pictures and video. Research and compare vehicles, too. Sign up or sign in with Google Facebook Microsoft Apple By signing up I agree to the Terms of Use and acknowledge that I have read the Privacy Policy . You may unsubscribe from email communication at anytime. This tiny thing has a V8 hiding inside Under the hood is a 3,168cc V8 with an aluminum block and cylinder heads as well as twin Zenith carburetors mated to a four-speed manual transmission. This 507 sits on 16' Rudge wheels wrapped in 6.00-16 Michelin Pilote X tires with Dunlop front disc and rear drum brakes behind them. The cabin still wears its tan leather and sports a contrasting ivory steering wheel and shift knob alongside a Becker Mexico radio. The odometer shows around 33,000 kilometers (~21,000 miles), with 25 of those being added by the current owner. 1959 BMW 507 Series II w/Hardtop — Source: Bring a Trailer/Hyman Ltd Final thoughts The auction ends in 9 days with a current bid of $1,000,000, so it's unlikely that you and I will be able to afford such a beauty. Considering that it was purchased from a collection by its current owner in January 2025 and they only added 25 miles since, this poor thing suffers from a severe lack of being driven. This isn't an uncommon occurence with cars of this rarity and value, but it's also not an excuse. I won't go on a tangent about why driving your cars is the right thing to do, but I sure hope that the new owner feels the same way.
Miami Herald
5 days ago
- Automotive
- Miami Herald
Ultra-Rare BMW 507 For Sale With Eye-Popping Pricetag
You can never go wrong with a vintage BMW. The German automaker's classic examples have a special way of combining slim bodylines and a svelte silhouette with sheer, menacing performance under the hood. This 1959 BMW 5078 Series II on Bring a Trailer is a perfect example of what I mean. When US importer Max Hoffman suggested that BMW design as mid-level sports car for the North American market, BMW replied with the 507. Featuring hand-built aluminum bodywork styled by Albrecht von Goertz, the 507 debuted in 1955 at the Waldorf Astoria Hotel in New York City before entering production in late 1956. In 1957, the Series II debuted with a smaller fuel tank relocated from behind the seats to inside the trunk to prevent fumes from entering the cabin. This particular example, Chassis 70185, is one of only 252 built during the model's three years of production and was completed on October 6, 1958 as a Feather White car before being delivered new on October 31, 1958, to Autohaus H. Bäte KG in Hannover, Germany. The car reportedly underwent a refurbishment around 2012 that included a repaint in its current shade of Coral Red and a refinishing of its hardtop in an ivory color. The 507 was then acquired in 2022 by German specialists Arthur Bechtel Classic Motors, who re-trimmed the interior in tan leather. What sets this particular BMW 507 apart from others is its ivory hardtop that can be installed when the beige convertible top is not in use. Hardtops were optional equipment at the time and were hand-built to fit each car's hand-built bodywork, making them particularly rare and special accessories to own. Under the hood is a 3,168cc V8 with an aluminum block and cylinder heads as well as twin Zenith carburetors mated to a four-speed manual transmission. This 507 sits on 16" Rudge wheels wrapped in 6.00-16 Michelin Pilote X tires with Dunlop front disc and rear drum brakes behind them. The cabin still wears its tan leather and sports a contrasting ivory steering wheel and shift knob alongside a Becker Mexico radio. The odometer shows around 33,000 kilometers (~21,000 miles), with 25 of those being added by the current owner. The auction ends in 9 days with a current bid of $1,000,000, so it's unlikely that you and I will be able to afford such a beauty. Considering that it was purchased from a collection by its current owner in January 2025 and they only added 25 miles since, this poor thing suffers from a severe lack of being driven. This isn't an uncommon occurence with cars of this rarity and value, but it's also not an excuse. I won't go on a tangent about why driving your cars is the right thing to do, but I sure hope that the new owner feels the same way. Copyright 2025 The Arena Group, Inc. All Rights Reserved.
Yahoo
29-03-2025
- Automotive
- Yahoo
Ruby-Red 1956 Porsche 356A on Bring a Trailer Is a Jewel
The Porsche 356 established the brand's reputation around the world. This example looks factory fresh but has significant performance upgrades. The discrete hot-rodding should make it much more enjoyable to drive in modern conditions. Long before the 911 emerged, early Porsches made a name for the brand by doing more with less. When the 356 won its class at Le Mans in 1951, the world sat up and took notice, and it wasn't long before importer Max Hoffman had established the pride of Stuttgart as an institution on this side of the Atlantic. Thing is, a 1950s Porsche 356 is still very much a car of its time, with performance that might not match modern traffic. Not so with this 1956 356A for sale on Bring a Trailer (which, like Car and Driver, is part of Hearst Autos). It's been restored and discreetly updated with tasteful improvements to make the driving experience match the "outlaw" 356s are an established trend by now, the form kicked off by customizer Rod Emory in his California-based shop. But while many of Emory's 356s defy the rules to build full-on Porsche hot-rods, this car is all about the hidden details. It's even finished in the original factory paint color, a rich Polyantha Red. From the outside, only 15-inch Boyd Coddington wheels and a custom dual exhaust hint that there's anything non-stock going on here. Those wheels hide disc brakes at all four corners—early 356 drum brakes can be a bit alarming when you suddenly spot a deer crossing the road—and the braking system is further upgraded with some 911 the inside, GT-style bucket seats and a Nardi steering wheel are the highlights of a complete reworking, including new carpeting and refreshing the dashboard. The instrumentation is rebuilt, the chrome redone, and the tachometer converted to electric operation. The 356A marked the first time the twin-cam Carrera engine was available in a road car, but the largest displacement available at the time was 1.6 liters. This car gets a built up 2.2-liter flat-four for far more torque, especially lower in the rev range, and peak power of 160 horsepower at 6000 rpm. Built by FAT Performance, also based in California, this engine is a howler, and should provide considerable shove in a car that weighs around 2000 four-speed manual transmission is also reworked, with short gearing except for fourth, which is a longer "freeway flyer" gear for cruising. This is a fantastic-looking little car in a great color combination, but the real appeal here is the driving experience, supported by performance parts from the best suppliers out there. While it's perhaps overshadowed by the 911 as the most recognizable Porsche, the 356 is a very special car to drive, impressive even after nearly 75 years. This one takes that performance and remasters it for 2025, while keeping the 1950s-era charm. Besides, everyone's doing 911 restomods these days. Why not grab a Porsche from the time when it was first putting the world on notice? The auction ends on April 2. You Might Also Like Car and Driver's 10 Best Cars through the Decades How to Buy or Lease a New Car Lightning Lap Legends: Chevrolet Camaro vs. Ford Mustang!
Yahoo
10-02-2025
- Automotive
- Yahoo
1959 BMW 507 Series II On Bring A Trailer After Extensive Refurbishment
⚡️ Read the full article on Motorious A rare and beautifully restored 1959 BMW 507 Series II is now available for sale, following a comprehensive refurbishment that has revived this classic sports car to its original glory. One of fewer than 250 examples produced between 1956 and 1959, this 507 has an intriguing history, having been delivered new to the United States before spending the 1960s in Staten Island, New York. After changing hands several times, the car underwent significant restoration work in 2021, including a repaint in its original Silver Blue color and a re-trim of the interior in tan leather, making it a standout in both appearance and mechanical condition. This Series II model is powered by a replacement 3.2L V8 engine with twin Zenith carburetors, paired to a four-speed manual transmission. Additional features of this 507 include a tan convertible top, 16' painted steel wheels, finned aluminum drum brakes, and a Becker Mexico radio, all of which have been meticulously restored. The car's body was stripped to bare metal, with welding repairs to various panels, and the brightwork was replated. With only 384 kilometers on the odometer, approximately 50 of which have been added under current ownership, this BMW 507 is in excellent mechanical condition and ready for both display and road use. The BMW 507 was originally designed as a high-end sports car targeted at the North American market, with the project instigated by US importer Max Hoffman. Featuring Albrecht von Goertz's signature design, it combined cutting-edge technology with luxury and performance. This particular 507 benefits from a range of high-end finishes, including a fully rebuilt radio, new rubber seals, and a refreshed convertible top frame. For collectors looking to own a piece of automotive history, this BMW 507 represents an exceptional opportunity to acquire one of the most iconic European sports cars of the era 1600Veloce is excited to an announce the brand new European operation of star BaT seller 1600veloce, based out of Göttingen, Germany. This expansion of the 1600veloce organization is now our second full-service BaT Local Partner in Europe, and their overseas presence will help to bring the advantages of our well-proven auction platform to buyers and sellers in the European market as well as to facilitate import and export of interesting vehicles. As the top-sellers on BaT, Anthony and his team have all but perfected the listing process—and we're thrilled to showcase the first installment of automobiles their new venture has brought us. 1600Veloce is a top-seller on Bring A Trailer with over 1,000 vehicles listed. Use their Premium Partnership to present your vehicle in the best way possible and avoid a long wait. Visit 1600veloce to learn more.
