1957 BMW 503 Series I Convertible

1957 BMW 503 Series I Convertible

RM Sotheby's

If you are interested in the content of this listing, please contact the Dealer. Contact details are indicated below in the section "Contact the Dealer." Should you require confidential support from SpeedHolics for your inquiry, kindly complete the section "I am Interested." This listing is provided by SpeedHolics solely for the purpose of offering information and resources to our readers. The information contained within this listing is the property of the entity indicated as the "Dealer." SpeedHolics has no involvement in the commercial transactions arising from this listing, and we will not derive any financial gain from any sales made through it. Furthermore, SpeedHolics is entirely independent from the "Dealer" mentioned in this listing and maintains no affiliation, association, or connection with them in any capacity. Any transactions, engagements, or communications undertaken as a result of this listing are the sole responsibility of the parties involved, and SpeedHolics shall bear no liability or responsibility in connection therewith. For more information, please refer to the "Legal & Copyright" section below.

SH ID

24-0722004

FEATURED BY SPEEDHOLICS

Sold

SEARCH OTHER CARS

Germany

Dealer

Engine number 30091

Body number 00109

One of just 78 examples of the BMW 503 Series I Convertible built, and believed to be one of just 13 sent by the factory to the USA

Just three owners from new; remaining in California from new until acquired by its most recent keeper in 2017

Presented in Fjord Blue over Cognac upholstery with a Blue Sonnenland convertible top; originally finished in Steingrau with Red upholstery

Subject to a nut-and-bolt restoration carried out between 2018 and 2023, performed by Hoffes Restorations and EBS Engineering in the Netherlands at a cost of €125,000

Disclaimer

SpeedHolics has not been paid to feature this product or brand, nor will we profit from any purchases you may make through the links in this article. We’re a fully independent website. SpeedHolics provides the information contained in this section solely as a resource for its users without any form of assurance. While SpeedHolics tries to provide high quality content, it does not guarantee the accuracy, reliability, appropriateness for use or timeliness of this information. Visitors to this page should not act or refrain from acting on the basis of any of the material it contains without first conducting their own investigations and seeking professional advice specific to their own situation if necessary. We will not be liable for any transactions carried out by you as a result of the information that you can find on this page. Please exercise your due diligence.

Dealers Support

Are you the owner of this content and you want to make changes or to ask any questions to our editorial team? Write an email to team@speedholics.com.

Copyright & DMCA

Photos and texts are property and copyright of the respective owner as indicated in the section "Dealer" of this page. SpeedHolics has requested and obtained written authorisation to reproduce the content. Copyright holders who believe their rights under copyright law have been infringed are invited to follow our notice and takedown procedure as required by DMCA regulations. The notice and take down procedure is described here: https://www.speedholics.com/copyright

Produced from 1956 to 1962, the BMW 503 made its debut alongside the BMW 507 at the 1955 Frankfurt Motor Show. It received an update in 1957, with the earlier cars referred to as Series I and the later cars Series II; the former were distinguished by a column gear shift, hydraulic window lifts, and for the convertible, a hydraulic-operated hood. All were powered by a 3.2-litre V-8 engine that the factory rated at 140 horsepower. Manufactured on 7 December 1956, this BMW 503 Series I Cabriolet was one of just 78 such examples constructed. Rolling off the factory floor with Steingrau paintwork and Red upholstery, chassis 69091 was sent to Hoffman Motors in New York and arrived on 14 January 1957. Thought to be one of 13 units of the first series BMW 503 Convertible sold new to the USA, this 503 was delivered to its first owner, Fred B. Phillips, in Topanga, California. Mr. Phillips retained the BMW for 25 years, before parting ways with the car and selling it to the second owner, Franz von Uckermann, on 10 December 1982, trading for $2,400. Taking the car to San Francisco at some point, Mr. Uckermann had the 503 repainted in a metallic deep red. He held onto this BMW until 2017, at which point it was acquired by its most recent owner. The car still had its metallic red paintwork and had been in dry storage for a number of years. However, the car’s condition was commensurate of its years spent in the Californian sun. Now with the third and current owner, chassis 69091 was shipped to the Netherlands, where a nut-and-bolt restoration was commissioned. The work was carried out by Hoffes Restorations and EBS Engineering in the Netherlands, with invoices on file showing that from October 2018 to July 2023 more than €125,000 was spent. The car is accompanied by these invoices, a previous US title, and notes from the 1982 sale to Mr. Uckermann. At the point of restoration, the bodywork was painted in BMW Fjord Blue and complemented by a Blue Sonnenland convertible hood with Cognac upholstery. Not one part of the car was left untouched, with the final result truly stunning. Upon inspection BMW Classic has confirmed the engine number is matching. The offering of this incredible 1950s BMW presents a wonderful opportunity to acquire an excruciatingly rare 503 Convertible that has just three owners from new.