I’m writing from the road today, having traversed California from North to South in my Bavaria to attend the tenth annual SoCal Vintage BMW Meet in Van Nuys yesterday. It’s a fun show, and well attended, but I was a little disappointed that there were no pre-1962 cars in attendance other than a pair of Isettas—which are a treat to see, don’t get me wrong, but are just half the story of BMW’s early post-World War II struggle for survival. I wish someone had rolled up in this gem, a 1957 502 sporting just 70,000 miles and a lovely air of originality. It’s even in the neighborhood, being offered by dealer Vintage Car Collector in Glendale, with an asking price of $38,000.
Now, the dealer has this listed as a 501, and as I always try to do when I disagree with the facts of a listing, I’ll explain myself and stipulate that I reserve the right to be wrong. The biggest difference between the 501 and 502 was that the latter had a standard V8, although this engine was an option in the 501. There are subtle visual differences, too, however, and that’s what makes me think this is a 502. Most notable is the wider rear window seen here; to my knowledge, this change was never applied to the 501 prior to its 1958 discontinuation. I welcome evidence to the contrary in the comments!
The curvy, bulbous lines of the 501/502, which earned the models the nickname “Barockangel,” or “Baroque Angel,” look charming and elegant when the car is perceived as a vintage item, but they were grossly unfashionable when new in the 1950s, and the visual portliness was backed up by actual weight, which overwhelmed the 501’s standard 65-horsepower inline six. The 502’s 100-horse, 2.6-liter V8 helped somewhat, but both models were expensive, too, a problem in European markets that were still shakily recovering from the war. Lacking resources to develop additional new models, BMW instead used these heavy, expensive bones as the basis for the glamorous but wildly expensive 503 and 507 luxury sports coupes, leading the company perilously close to financial ruin by the late ’50s. Only by licensing the design for the Isetta bubble car did BMW stay (barely) afloat, and the rest is history.
The compact V8 in this car is described as having been very well maintained, and the car is said to run and drive well. Both here and underneath the car, everything looks to be in order and clean, but convincingly original—certainly not overrestored. The claim that this is a garage-kept, original California car seems plausible, although it’s worth pointing out that the black license plates only date to the mid-1960s. In any event, that’s a very long time in California.
The cloth interior, too, shows minor signs of age but is overall extremely presentable and original. There’s a little light pitting on the dashboard, and it’s hard to say but the headliner looks like it may have some weathering and discoloration, but the big bench seats look plenty inviting and the suicide doors add a touch of old-fashioned charm. This is a car with a quiet grace—it doesn’t shout with a flashy restoration or ostentatious patina, instead drawing you in with its softly hued loveliness and gentle originality. It’s a worthy example of an important car in BMW’s history. I would have loved to see it on the show field yesterday; it probably would have been best in show for me!
Beautiful car. Beautiful write-up.
In Vienna, Austria, meaning very close to Bavaria, Barock has also the meaning of “Fat”. In Vienna, a round lady because of the local cakes (Sacher Torte…) and cream is said to be “barock”.
Looking at this car it deserves totally the nickname.
Very beautiful car ! Great lines. Wish it was nearby to see !
Barockangel!
Gesundheit!
Wonderful car by the way.
Lovely looking car. I’ve always found this style BMW to be quite attractive. It’s a damn shame it didn’t sell very well, particularly here in the USA. I find it more attractive than the Mercedes-Benz of the same vintage.
I had one blue with a white top old police car 4 speed on the column great drive fast and fun the fresh air filters in the front were an interesting feature great article
I’d buy one if I could find one in this nice condition.
Greetings All,
When I worked in the U.K., I was looking at buying one of these. It was 1982.
I spent a couple of hours spreading out and inventorying the disassembled engine parts after removing them from the trunk. I was sort of out of my element as I was more familiar with Jaguar and Mercedes. As far as I could tell, I found everything and a home for it all, with the exception of some minor parts.
A call that night to my buddy that worked a MB parts dealership, steered me away. Great car to buy when together but very expensive parts was only if you had good luck, most were not available.
Pity because structurally, the car was sound and complete with chrome, it was just engine issues. I had no idea if the block was serviceable, maybe it wasn’t, had to be some reason for disassembly and then being abandon.
This was the second time I encountered a small displacement V engine, the other had been a Ferrari 2.5 V12. Never saw pistons so small. Both of the cars these engines were in…….were in the boot or trunk. Not mounted there, just residing there after the last owner piled them in boxes there.
I’ve always been enamored of small displacement V8’s and V12’s especially along with straight sixes. Wish the US manufacturers would offer something in a 2 or 3 liter V8.
The V8 looks narrow is it a 60 degree? I like the car a lot I would drive it all the time.
Lovely, never seen one of these before. Thanks for sharing.
I’ve never seen one before either. I’ve seen pictures of these Baroque Angel BMWs, but I’ve never seen any in person. I’d love to eventually. :)
Terrific writeup, Nathan. Enjoyed reading it, especially as a fan of BMW.
These almost killed BMW all right, and the Isetta saved it. If the Grosser is going to kill you, better to go minimal than die.
The 507 and also the 503 from the same era were even more impressive sights to behold. BMW started a service for reproducing obsolete parts some years ago. Forget the exact name but it’s something like ‘BMW Historical’. Anyway, parts for these Baroque Angels can be gotten from them, but no doubt at a (big) price.
The only Baroque Angel I have seen in real life was at the old round BMW museum next to the 4-Cylinder building in Munich, and it was truly a lovely design. I just wish there were more around so I could see one once in a while. My guess is that some of them might have been cannabilized for parts for a 507, which admittedly are even lovelier.
A few decades ago I was at a concours somewhere where the first BMW to ever sell for over a $million was on display: a perfect white 507. I guess I can understand why someone might want to cannibalize a Baroque Angel to keep a 507 on the road, but I’d still like to see another Angel in real life, say, like this one with that elegant pale green paint—-IMHO a perfect shade for the car.
Can’t buy into the BMW mystique. This car looks ungainly to me, sort of an inflated Jaguar. Must be the progenitor to some of the later grotesqueries of the Chris Bangle era – daring designs that just didn’t get it for me.
For all the well-deserved accolades that these cars get there is still more myth than substance. This perception is exacerbated by a significant portion of BMW’s owner group. I’m talking about the fashionistas & yuppies who accept on faith alone that BMWs are just great cars. I would submit that the vast majority of these people wouldn’t know the difference between their beloved bimmers and a KIA in a blind comparison.
But what do I know? I drive a Corvette.
And a minivan.
ccrvtt,
couldn’t have said it better myself. “But what do I know? I drive a Corvette. And a minivan.:”
ccrvtt,
I get what you say, especially about the poseurs who sometimes connect themselves with things BMW, but here we are talking about the firm’s post WW2 history.
I like the Baroque Angels because of a kind of cool factor from the ’50s when a small Euro carmaker tried to make a large fancy sedan to compete with Benz….who didn’t like that one bit, BTW.
It was worth a try, but BMW was in no shape after the war to actually do that, and Europeans were in no financial shape to afford to buy many of them, so the Angels died.
But moving on to the present era, and seeing as you are a performance car fan, I am going to suggest a couple of videos to watch to see if you might get a better idea why people like the driving dynamics of modern BMWs so much. If these don’t do much for you, fine, but I hope you will give them a try.
Here’s a video with an old (relatively) BMW from about 1997. Google “BMW M3 at Turkish autobahn”. There are a few videos that will come up on YouTube. I don’t recommend some of the driving on public roads that you will see, but if you do look at one of those videos, keep in mind it’s a 1990s 4 / 5 seat sedan with a 3.2 liter 6 cylinder naturally aspirated engine. Watch the KPHs that it reaches on the speedo. Hint: 265 KPH = 165 MPH.
Similarly, Google “BMW M3 on Nurburgring”. Here is one of my favorites: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UUjD4CL4Bvg
When you watch this keep in mind that it’s a 5-seat sedan that weighs the better part of 2 tons. Will it keep up with the little 2-seater sports cars that people love so much? You’ll have to watch the video to find out.
I could care less about any cachet connected with BMW, but I sure like the way their M3s perform on the road.
I’m not particularly a BMW fan but we’ll said. I’ll be checking the videos out myself.
Had loads of BMWs and enjoyed them, Mercs too but keep going back to Audi.
The handling on a Quattro is unsurpassed by anything else I have driven perhaps other than a Lotus.
Never driven a Corvette but would consider one as they are an unusual sight over this side of the pond. Just not got around to it yet.
This car though is a pretty old machine .. i can’t think its too exciting an experience to drive but it is unusual in a nice way.
As much as I like BMWs and Mercedes-Benz, I know I’ll never be able to buy one, particularly anything of this vintage.
And here we go. ccrvtt, I own 2 BMW’s and a Jeep and a Ford F-250 and a Toyota, and I have previously owned 2 minivans and 2 full size vans. You are correct, some people buy cars based on their “cool” factor, and this often includes BMW, Mercedes, and even Corvettes. Many other car people, buy cars based on the driving attributes of that particular car. The first time I drove my 1995 BMW M3, I knew it was the balance of performance and handling I had always wanted. The first time I drove a C2 Corvette, I knew I did not want one. Fast, but not well put together. I autocross with a local Corvette Club, and they are a great bunch of car people that welcomed a 1976 BMW2002 to their event. Car people are car people. Yeah, there are posers out there, no matter the marque. Please, don’t brand us all with the same iron. Peace.
Like as well…..
Thank you Nathan. Well done.
Alex W, Dolphin, funfunfer, et al. – your points are well-taken and your direct experience bears out your opinions. There is probably no greater poseur car than a Corvette. There is also nothing else quite like a Corvette. On the other hand the 30-something hausfrau busy talking on her cellphone (while driving, of course) would be equally and more economically served with a Sorento or a Grand Cherokee in the place of her X5.
A friend of mine has a Z3 that he dearly loves. My old neighbor had an M3 that was a real demon. They’re nice cars. They do a lot of stuff well. But in the end, just like Corvettes, they’re still just cars.
The nice thing about this forum is that various points of view are usually tolerated.
Nathan,
What? – no picture of your Bavaria?
I love those cars.
Ha! Okay, here you go.
Looks just like the Bavaria i had in 1990… I miss that car… nice car, Nathan! And nice write up!
Oooooooh sunroof………..be still my heart
Reference this photo of BMW 507, same era as Isetta and “Fat Sedan”.
This is equivalent to comparing Cinderella with her two ugly step sisters.
Speaking of 507’s……..way back in 1984 I happen to be in Phoenix at the same time of, I think, it was Barrett Jackson, .could have been Kruse. Anyway, amidst all the folks itching to be taken to the cleaners, a 507 crossed the stage. It sold for I think $50,000.00 and I almost had a cardiac. Shows you what I knew!
I also love the BMW 507.
I once bought a BMW 3200cs V8 Bertone, the engine was in bits in the trunk, I was going to restore it but it was so ugly, then thought I might make a 507 replica, in the end I sold it back to Germany, should have kept it…………. still have a few BMW E9 coupe’s picture of latest one bought this week! and it was a “barn find” Pat