Lot details Registration No: UYJ 332 Chassis No: 54618 Mot Expiry: Aug 2006
The Bayerische Motoren Werke's first post WW2 car design, the 501 was launched at the 1951 Frankfurt Motor Show. Built around a massive box section chassis equipped with all round torsion bar sprung suspension (independent double wishbone front / A-frame located 'live' rear axle) and four-wheel drum brakes, its 2-litre six-cylinder engine (derived from the 1930s 327/328 sportscars) was allied to a four-speed manual gearbox. Affectionately dubbed the Barockengel / Baroque Angel on account of the similarity between its bulbous, flowing lines and those of the carved wooden figurines found in many southern German / Austrian churches, the 501 was beautifully made but too expensive to achieve volume success. Conscious that its angel needed new wings to compete with the Adenaur Mercedes etc, BMW introduced the 501 V8 at the 1954 Geneva Motor Show. Some thirty percent larger but over fifty percent more powerful than its six-cylinder sibling, the new variant's 2580cc powerplant was reputed to develop some 105bhp and 130lbft of torque (outputs sufficient for a 100mph top speed). Only in production for four years, the 501 V8 (together with its 500-series successors) proved vital in re-establishing the BMW name worldwide.
Finished in dark blue with grey / beige leather upholstery, this particular example is apparently "one of a small number of factory right-hand drive cars with original floor gearchange". Variously described by the vendor as being in very sound (chassis), good (bodywork, wheels / tyres) or excellent (engine, gearbox) condition with the exception of "some small bubbles" to the paintwork and the requirement for some "re-colouration" to the interior trim, this imposing saloon was reportedly "subject of extensive restoration by Steve Barton since the early 1990s". A regular attendee at "BMW historic events and concours", it is supposed to have covered just 74,937 miles from new. Offered for sale entirely without reserve, it comes with MOT certificate valid until August 7th 2006 and historic class (free) road tax until 30th June 2006.
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