Bonhams|Cars
Carmel, CA – Joining the dazzling line-up of Bonhams|Cars’ annual Quail Auction on August 16 is a numbers-matching 1957 BMW 507 Series II Roadster with Hardtop. This remarkable example of BMW’s iconic ’50s sportscar carries an incredible 63 years of tenure in its current ownership – eclipsing even John Surtees’ 61 years with his 507, which Bonhams|Cars sold in 2018 for $5,000,000.
Acquired by the current family ownership in 1961 in Venezuela, it was one of 13 of the model to be sold new in that country, most through local agent Gustavo Zingg. As new, and still to this day, the 507 retains several desirable attributes including Rudge wheels, hard top and Becker long and short-wave radio, has maintained its striking white exterior virtually all its life, having been repainted by Zingg prior to arrival with its first owner, Gustavo Quintero in late 1957/early 1958. After just 4 years with Quintero it was acquired by the current owner’s father. The majority of his use was in the first six years of his tenure, the car accruing some 72,750 kilometers by 1967. At that time, the 507 underwent a mechanical refresh by BMW of Caracas. Today only a mere 2,400 kilometers have been added in the ensuring 6 decades.
Bonhams|Cars
Bonhams|Cars
Twenty years later, after years of enjoyment, the decision was made to ‘give the car a birthday’ and return it to the way in which it had been when bought of the white paint scheme so famously chosen by Elvis Presley and others for their BMW 507s. With the mass of accumulated knowledge over his already decades of custody, the owner ensured it was reconditioned as authentically as possible, with no detail spared.
Brought to the USA in 2014 by the descendants of its second owner the car has remained within that same family, used sparingly and stored in a climate-controlled garage. It now presents extremely well and is reported to be in good running condition.
Eric Minoff, Head of Sale for the Bonhams|Cars Quail Auction commented: “With two owners from new in its 67 years and featuring key attributes so prized on these cars by the collecting market, this presents an extremely rare occasion to buy a matching numbers example iconic BMW model – eligible to participate in notable events, such as the Colorado Grand, California Mille, and more.”
- The Quail Auction
- Quail Lodge & Golf Club, Carmel, CA
- August 16, 2024
About Bonhams|Cars – Bonhams|Cars host 17 live auctions annually, participates in all the significant concours around the world, and presents unique selling opportunities at international events such as the 2024 Formula 1 Crypto.com Miami Grand Prix, Goodwood Motorsport Events in the UK, The Quail on the Monterey Peninsula in California, The Audrain Concours in Newport, Rhode Island, and The Zoute Grand Prix in Belgium. At Bonhams|Cars Online, formerly The Market by Bonhams, we provide our clients with fast, expert, accurate and agile single-car auctions, 24/7. With dedicated motoring departments in London, Paris, Los Angeles, New York, Brussels and beyond, Bonhams|Cars has a world-class team with expertise in all divisions, from vintage cars to racing motorsport and automobilia to motorcycles.
For more information, please visit BonhamsCars.com
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