Max Hoffman wanted a five-thousand-dollar sports car for America, but BMW priced the 503 at nearly double that, so it sold instead to European film stars and heads of state like Tito.
Lead trim: 503 (3.2 V8, twin carburettor)
BMW 503503 · 1956–1959
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FactMax Hoffman wanted a five-thousand-dollar sports car for America, but BMW priced the 503 at nearly double that, so it sold instead to European film stars and heads of state like Tito.
The BMW 503 is a two-door 2+2 gran turismo built by BMW from May 1956 to March 1959 in coupé and cabriolet body styles, developed alongside the 507 roadster; 413 were built, 139 of them cabriolets, and the 503 and 507 cost about twice their projected price and did not recover their development costs. Its designer was Albrecht von Goertz; it was introduced at the Frankfurt Motor Show in September 1955 and sold for DM29,500. It was the first European convertible with an electro-hydraulic hood and windows, and used the long-wheelbase version of a new ladder frame designed by Fritz Fiedler, the 502's steering, front and rear suspension and vacuum-assisted drum brakes (from 1957 all had front discs). The bodywork was aluminium/magnesium alloy and the dashboard a hefty cast aluminium structure. It used the 3.2-litre V8 developed for the 502 but with two carburettors and an improved lubrication system with a chain-driven oil pump: a 7.5:1 compression ratio and 140 bhp (104 kW; 142 PS) at 4800 rpm, with sixteen-inch wheels and a 3.90:1 final drive (3.42:1 optional) and a top speed of about 120 miles per hour (193 km/h); the Mark 2 from September 1957 had the gearbox bolted to the engine and the gear lever moved from the column to the floor. Max Hoffman had wanted a sports car near US$5,000, and BMW's prices were about ten thousand dollars, so the 503 did better among the upper levels of society in Europe (film stars such as Curd Jürgens, heads of state such as Tito and nobility). Wheelbase 2,835 mm (111.6 in), length 4,750 mm (187 in), width 1,710 mm (67 in), height 1,440 mm (57 in). It was replaced by the Bertone-bodied 3200 CS.
Collectors Spotted in the BMW 503 Lineage
No member has published a public street spot of the BMW 503 yet — the First · Worldwide stamp is wide open.
Trims & Figures
One published trim in the catalogue. A blank is a figure not recorded, not zero.
| Trim | Years | Engine | Power | Torque | 0–60 | Drive | Gearbox | MSRP |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 503 (3.2 V8, twin carburettor) | 1956–1959 | 3.2 L V8 | 140 hp | 159 lb-ft | — | RWD | — | — |
Owning one
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Owners’ builds
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Photographs
Rivals
Same body, same money, other badges — tap any card to flip.
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