The BMW 507 Ultimate Build Thread!!!

[A12pilot]

Thanks, Mark! It'll be a fun one to build. I met a 507 owner who's willing to let me crawl all over his car for photos and such when needed. He's really intrigued by the project since he says he'd love to own one he can actually drive without fear of something happening to his on the road. Come on, stupid house and shop!!!! Holding everything up!!!!!

Cheers

Dave

[markinnaples]

This should be really interesting to watch. You need to figure out how to bottle your energy and enthusiasm and sell it, then you could buy any car you want!

[PxTx]

I'm really looking forward to following along. Previous threads have been fun, but this is exciting and a bit over the edge. Thanks for sharing and good luck!

[A12pilot]

No worries Lynn. I'm excited to hear about your GTO. I just started looking at 348s and think I may pull the trigger on a Spider next year!

Just bought a few more odds and ends, and I'll post up drivetrain specifications soon. Thanks for the support here on this project! My passion lies in the fabrication, details, and final execution of any car I dive into. And the love of the design elements of all cars is the reason I have these desires to jump into these restorations and projects that really, nobody in their right financial mind should want pursue. SO MUCH FUN!!

Cheers
Dave

[A12pilot]

Door handles: the 507s were a very slim line design and while looking at them, thought they looked eerily familiar to me. Then it hit me! 1955 Chrysler 300C!

Once rechromed these are just about identical to the 507 in operation. No lock in the handle, but that's ok. There's ways around that! Man.... can't wait to start on this thing!

Tires are 6.0 x 16 which are pretty close to the old Chevy truck tires. The times are becoming a fun search. The last set of German Rudge wheels, restored, were sold for $16k a set. Along with that, you need the adapters for the axles. Well, homey don't be having no $16k for wheels laying around, so that's out. What I've found that's pretty close are spare tire rims from Fords and Chryslers. The rims are 16x4.5 usually. Will post up more as I zero in on a final selection.

Cheers

Dave

[A12pilot]

After an exhaustive 3 week, steel wheel, Googley search, I've come up with an almost perfect match for wheels for the 507. Rudge wheels were on the BMW as well as Porsches of the day. They are unique in that they are pin drive (read, knock-offs) and have a very unique center section. Size was 16x6. Yep... that's a big, skinny wheel!! Now, with real Rudge wheels climbing up past the $16k mark, and keeping with the design philos...philasof...fila....idea here of using extremely similar, easily found, parts to get the look in after, these 2015 Ford Transit wheels are a pretty good match! Way better than my last selections. The center section has the bulbous look of the originals and they are 10 hole as well. Although these are 16x6.5, I will send them to a shop and have them narrowed along with a standard 5x4.5" bolt pattern installed. A thin chrome trim ring on the outside and a simulated knock-off of my own design, or the dog dish caps I have, will complete the look!

Interestingly, I've had several people ask if I could build them one when done... how cool is that?! Way cool, I know!!! But I don't think that's going to happen for a number of reasons. Still neat that there is interest!

Cheers
Dave

[markinnaples]

You're an inspiration Dave.

[A12pilot]

Thanks Mark! It's a blast to search for parts that are just about as similar to the original as I can get. The top frame, windshield, and a few odds and ends I can buy that are genuine 507 which will nail the original look. Drivetrain details forthcoming!

Cheers
Dave

[A12pilot]

One would think with the house thread going and Anheuser Busch Clydesdale barn build well underway, along with 10 acres of fence, and two shops to stiiiiiiilllllll get to, that one might not have time to continue on with one's car builds. And, you'd be right.... until I get to the hotel on overnights and have nothing to do except search for parts and car stuff!

I was able to score some brand new tail lights in cast bronze form from 1976! These were made by the BMW 507 car club way back then after they couldn't find any parts for their cars. So, they started making their own! These are cast off originals and are about as NOS as you can get. I also have authentic lenses (red and amber) to go with them. Interestingly, only 507s destined for the US got the dual red lenses. European models got the red and amber.

In other 507 news, I stumbled across an original Becker Mexico AM/FM radio with auto-seeker, along with its original amp and speaker! This will set the dash off perfectly! Pics of mine and a properly restored one.

And finally, the wheel quest. Having searched more for the right wheels, I have a company that will make me a set when the time comes which mimic the steel wheel and hubcap look I'm after. But doing some more searching, found BMW steel wheels that are pretty darn close. I decided against the Rudge knockoffs, and am going with the stock steelies and dog dish caps which I already have. Pic attached of the stock wheel.

Next month is a trip to Sacramento to visit the body manufacturer and get that rolling. More to come as more parts come in!! Now, back to the barn build!

Cheers
Dave

[mockingbird812]

Lovin’ it Dave!!!