Notable owners
As mentioned above, Elvis Presley, while stationed in Germany on duty with the US Army, bought his first 507, a 1957 model (chassis #70079 and colored feather white), which had been raced by Hans Stuck, used as a press demonstrator by BMW, and appeared in a German musical comedy entitled Hula-Hopp, Conny (released in March 1959). Because many of his European fans left lipstick marks on the car, mainly while parked outside his home at 14 Goethestrasse, in Bad Nauheim, he had it painted red. Just before Presley's return to the US, it was imported into the United States in 1960 and bought by Alabama singer and disc jockey Tommy Charles, who became even better known in the US, a few years later for being the prime mover in the inflating of the infamous More popular than Jesus Beatles controversy. Charles had 70079 extensively modified, including having the engine replaced with a Chevrolet V8. In 1962, it was painted black and its interior changed to red, only to again be painted red, which is how it remained for the next 50 years. In July 2014, BMW Group announced that Presley's car would be on display for a short period at the BMW Museum in Munich, before being entirely restored by its Classic department. This fully restored car, now back to its original white color, was displayed in the newly renovated BMW Zentrum museum at their US manufacturing center in Greer, South Carolina, and is now on display, with its own particular interactive exhibit at the BMW Museum in Munich.,[4] According to press reports emanating from the Norwegian authorities which handled the car's exhibit at the Oslo Motor held from 28 to 31 October 2022, the car is now valued at 180 Norwegian Kroner, or approximately $16.8m, the highest valuation for any BMW.
In 1963, Presley reportedly bought, as a gift, a 1958 model (chassis #70192) to Ursula Andress, who starred with him that year in Fun in Acapulco.[5] Andress's husband, John Derek, who had owned another 507 ( a 1957 model, chassis # 70044) then just sold it to entertainer Fred Astaire, had the 507 that Elvis gave his wife specially customized, which included changing its color from white to light blue, as well as having the engine replaced with a Ford 289 V8. Andress sold the car in 1997 to George Barris for US$300,000. The car was then again restored with a correct drivetrain by a later owner. When the car arrived at McDougall's Carrera Automotive it had also been repainted black. The original engine was lost to time but two 503 V8s were located along with the dual carburetor intake from a 507. Both engines were made into a running engine with BMW AG making a new engine gasket kit including head gaskets at a cost of US$25,000. It was also returned to its original white color and subsequently sold at auction for US$350,000 and at a later auction in 2011 for US$1,072,500.
Bernie Ecclestone's 507 fetched GB£430,238 (US$904,000) at an auction in London in October 2007. At the Amelia Island Concours in March, 2014, a 507 sold at auction for $2.4 million.
John Surtees was given a 507 by Count Agusta for winning the 1956 500cc World Motorcycle Championship on an MV Agusta. Surtees worked with Dunlop to develop disc brakes for the front wheels of the 507, and his 507 eventually had disc brakes on all four wheels. Surtees owned his 507 until his death. Soon after, in July 2018, the Surtees car sold for £3,809,500 plus commission, the equivalent of US$5 million, the highest ever paid for a 507.[6] On 1 December 2018, a 507 owned by BMW 507 and 503 designer Albrecht von Goertz was sold for £2,367,000 plus commission, also at Bonhams.[7]
