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The production model BMW 507
roadster shown above is considered by many to be one of the
most beautiful automobile designs of all time. It was designed
by Albrecht Graf Goertz--not Raymond Loewy. Loewy's BMW design
is shown at left and below. Even though post-war Europe's economy
was in a shambles, Max Hoffmann, America's biggest import car
dealer of that time, managed to persuade the BMW board that
this kind of model was exactly what BMW needed. Hoffmann then
urged Count Albrecht Graf Goertz to submit sketches to the BMW
board and these were enthusiastically received. |
Goertz was immediately commissioned
to design the BMW roadster and BMW craftsman completed the 507
prototype in time to wow attendees at the 1955 Frankfurt Motor
Show. Goertz met Raymond Loewy in New
York and was offered a job at Loewy Associates. Loewy
later designed a BMW prototype that was displayed at the 1957
Paris Auto Show, but was never produced. Notice that the coke
bottle curves used so successfully on the Avanti were also
evident on both BMW designs. Only 252, 507s were ever produced,
one of which was purchased by Elvis Presley. The Lancia
Loraymo was Loewy's next project
which was unveiled in 1960. Design of these two European roadsters
probably influenced Sherwood Egbert's
decision to assign Loewy the task of
designing the Avanti for Studebaker.
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Loewy with his BMW 507 prototype.
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Most U.S. Army enlisted men couldn't afford
a BMW 507. Only 252 were produced, one
of which was purchased by Elvis Presley. |
Even though the event was in Germany,
Hollywood style publicity recorded Elvis as he accepted the
key to his BMW 507. |
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