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Drive Type:
RWD
Transmission:
Manual
Condition:
Used
Color:
Black
Color:
Black
VIN:
21443
Description
The 502 platform was introduced in 1954 as a V8-powered and more-luxurious derivative of the 501, which had entered production in 1951 as BMW’s first post-WWII offering. While carrying over the bodywork from the previous model, the 502 came standard with extended brightwork and fender-mounted front fog lamps. In addition to the standard saloon body, Baur-bodied coupe and cabriolet variants were also built to order, with the latter entering production in 1955.
Originally finished in Cortina Grey, this…
The 502 platform was introduced in 1954 as a V8-powered and more-luxurious derivative of the 501, which had entered production in 1951 as BMW’s first post-WWII offering. While carrying over the bodywork from the previous model, the 502 came standard with extended brightwork and fender-mounted front fog lamps. In addition to the standard saloon body, Baur-bodied coupe and cabriolet variants were also built to order, with the latter entering production in 1955.
Originally finished in Cortina Grey, this example was sandblasted and underwent rust repair with section of new steel before being refinished in the BMW hue of Topaz Blue Metallic (364). The brightwork was replated or replaced, and a new windshield, body seals, and fog lamps were fitted. The convertible top frame was refurbished and draped in new beige canvas with a vinyl rear window. Additional features include radially-retracting rear quarter windows and a factory-optional windshield washer system. The seller notes that the pictured yellow California license plates are included in the sale, but are not assigned to the car.
Body-colored steel wheels wear chrome covers and 185HR15 Michelin XVS tires. A matching spare is secured in the trunk. The braking system was rebuilt with front discs as well as a vacuum booster, with the modifications said to conform to offerings on later 502 models.
The interior was reupholstered in beige leather with matching carpets in lieu of the original blue trim. The front bucket and rear bench seat frames were refinished and fitted with new padding, and replacement door panels were fabricated. Wood door caps complement a matching dash topped by a body-colored upper section.
An ivory-colored steering wheel sits ahead of a 180-km/h speedometer flanked by gauges monitoring oil pressure, coolant temperature, and fuel level. The five-digit odometer shows 7k kilometers (~4,300 miles), approximately 600 miles of which have been added by the seller. Total mileage is unknown. Wiring work was carried out during the restoration.
The 3,168cc M506/1 V8 was offered as an option in the 502-based BMW 3.2 from 1956 onward, and was a larger-displacement evolution of the 2,580cc version that was introduced in 1954 as the company’s first V8. Design features include an aluminum block with cast-iron wet cylinder liners, webbed reinforcements between cylinders, and aluminum cylinder heads with pushrod-operated overhead valves. This replacement engine was overhauled for use with lead-free fuel and is equipped with a single Zenith 32 NDIX carburetor, electronic ignition, an electric fuel pump and cooling fan, and a stainless-steel exhaust system.
The column-shifted four-speed manual transmission is mounted remotely from the engine, to which it is connected by a short driveshaft. A second driveshaft sends power from the gearbox to the differential. The transmission was overhauled with new bearings and seals as well as replacement clutch master and slave cylinders, and both axles were serviced. The rebuilt suspension features an independent double-wishbone front setup and a solid-axle rear, with torsion bars and telescopic shock absorbers all around.
Additional images from the restoration are provided in the gallery below, and a more expansive collection of restoration photos from Firma Matejcek can be seen here. Invoices from Brummer are shown in the gallery below.
The removed numbers-matching 2.6-liter V8 was also rebuilt by Brummer following the seller’s acquisition, and is included in the sale along with invoices for the overhaul. Number 11849 is shown stamped on the block in the gallery below, matching that listed on the BMW Group Classic certificate.
$100,100
Make:
BMW
Model:
502
Color:
Black
Transmission:
Manual
Condition:
Used
Year:
1956
Mileage:
4,300 miles
Fuel Type:
Gasoline
State:
California
Country:
United States
Contact Person:
Trudy Becklin
Offer ID #52122
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