When the Mercedes 300SL was launched in 1954 the frenzy surrounding it inspired BMW to produce their own prestigious sporting cars. The resulting models were the 507 and 503.

 

Both the 503 and 507 were styled by the legendary Count Albrecht von Goertz, the 507 having a shorter chassis.

 

The 503 was amongst the most exclusive cars of its time and was available in both coupe and convertible guise. The ladder chassis, bulkhead and inner wings were steel whilst the body panels were all aluminium. All 503s were hand-built cars.

 

The 503 was launched at the Frankfurt Motor Show in September 1955 and Pinin Farina himself is believed to have said that it was the most beautiful car of the show.

 

The engine of the 503 was BMWs all-alloy, 3,168cc V8 equipped with twin-carburettors and produced around 140 bhp. Suspension and steering were provided by the 502 and the gear-lever of the earlier cars was column-mounted.

 

Brakes were initially vacuum-assisted drums until ex-Formula One World Champion John Surtees (a previous owner of our example) advised BMW to fit disc brakes, so Dunlop discs were introduced in 1957 for the series 2 cars which also featured a floor-mounted gearshift.

 

Before production ceased in spring 1960, it is thought only around 273 coupes were built in total, with only 3 of those supplied from new in RHD, of which just 2 survive.

 

Chassis 69396 is a late RHD (second series) example built to special order for a member of the MacAlpine family via BMW dealer A. F. N. of Isleworth and registered in the UK in August 1959. The factory specification included metal sunroof, floor-change gearshift and a single inward-facing rear seat.

 

In 1966 the car was acquired by Bernard Cuff of Ascot, Berkshire who in 1978 sold it to David Blackburn former Managing Director of BMW in Britain who intended to create a BMW museum. Unfortunately the museum plans were shelved shortly after its purchase so Cuff bought the car back the car in early 1979.

 

Finished in white with a blue roof and an interior in black leather complimented by grey carpets the 503 also carries the registration number 503 BMW which is included in the sale.

 

In 1988 Motor Racing personality John Coombs sold the 503 to racing driver and BMW lover John Surtees before the current enthusiast family acquired it in 1991. A copy of the Surtees V5 is on file.

 

This very rare and desirable BMW is available for sale as a recommissioning project after an extended period in storage. The car is complete, starts, runs and drives and appears to be in sound condition.

 

An extremely rare opportunity to acquire one of two RHD 503 Coupes in existence.