About this Collectable

The eight-cylinder V-engine formed the basis for an ambitious sports car project, which BMW commercial director Hanns Grewenig pushed through against the wishes of BMW's then chief engineer. After 18 months of development, the BMW 503 and BMW 507 appeared at the International Motor Show in September 1955, equipped with the eight-cylinder V-engine originally developed for the BMW 502 sedan. For a long time, it remained the only German eight-cylinder engine made of cast aluminum. Although the BMW 503 won virtually every beauty contest in Cannes, Rome, Lisbon, Vienna, and Wiesbaden, it was not a great sales success. In May 1956, the 503 cost a whopping DM 29,500, roughly double the price of a decent terraced house. Consequently, only very wealthy customers could afford the car. The aluminum body of the 503 Coupé was made by coachbuilder Baur. The 3168 cc engine produced 140 hp and provided a top speed of 190 km/h. A distinctive feature were the side vents (similar to the BMW 507), which were intended to dissipate engine heat. A total of only 273 coupés were built between 1956 and 1960. The early models have the characteristic gear lever on the steering column, with the gearbox located under the front seat. At Interclassics Maastricht, we are showcasing a unique, Belgian-spec example from the second owner with a full history.

This 503 was purchased from Garage Dolf De Ridder via Garage Du Rond-Point de L’Avenue Louise (the importer in Brussels) on October 1, 1956, by Charles-Victor Baron Bracht. After six months, the baron sold the car to Dolf De Ridder to buy a new 507, which he traded in again after six months for… a new 503 (it drives better than the 507). The car remained in Dolf De Ridder's possession until February 7, 1970, after which it passed to his "nephew" Dirk Claus, partly as a wedding gift. The car was maintained by the owner (Dirk) himself and by Gilbert Van Raemdonck, who had worked as a mechanic in the garage since 1963. In the early 1970s, the car was resprayed in its current green color. Around the year 2000, with 10,850 km on the odometer, the engine was overhauled. Gilbert Van Raemdonck has now reached the respectable age of 76 and is retiring from working on the car. This is the reason for the sale. Autoblog also drove it around and was very enthusiastic

Our opinion

A BMW 503 is an incredibly rare car. Only 412 BMW 503s were built, of which 273 were coupés. Of the first series with steering column shifter, only 136 were built. A rare alloy V8 that runs and sounds fantastic, just like a true BMW should. Few 503s on the market have such a rich history as this coupé. The interior has been restored with all the original details preserved. It exudes patina and is a fantastic driver. Highly recommended for the serious collector seeking a truly authentic 503 that hasn't been restored to perfection. It's also remarkable that the car is complete and everything works as it should.

About the seller

The last owner bought the 503 back from the person to whom he had sold it after just six months, after which the car remained in the family. Because the mechanic who worked for him is now 76 years old and retired from tinkering, he decided to sell the car.

Technical details

The specifications, upgrades, and maintenance history below provide a complete overview of the condition and equipment of this BMW 503.

Comments

This 503 is in good mechanical condition. Starts and drives. The steering column shifts smoothly, the engine picks up well, and doesn't smoke! The underbody is a bit greasy, but without any significant rust. The bodywork around the fenders could use some attention, but it's appropriate for the car's age. There's a dent on the lower left side near the sill and the inner fender, but the body and underbody are solid, and the interior has been restored with all the details preserved.

Recent maintenance history

Around the year 2000, with 10,850 km (probably 110,850 km) of mileage, the engine was overhauled (7,000 km ago).

Work performed in 2024:

  • All fuel lines replaced
  • Alternator overhauled
  • Voltage regulator replaced
  • Brake booster replaced
  • Wheels repainted

Work performed in 2019-2020:

  • Original radio overhauled
  • Interior restoration (all seams restitched while retaining the original leather and restoring the pocket springs in the seats)

In 2010, the 503 was fitted with a stainless steel exhaust.

Included in the sale

The sale of this BMW 503 includes:

  • Keys
  • Documentation, booklets, invoices, and history in a folder

Summary

  • Seller – Porsche
  • Seller type – Business
  • Location – Heteren / Maastricht
  • Chassis number – 69042
  • License plate – Belgian papers
  • Year/date of manufacture – 1956
  • Mileage – 17,411 kilometers (read)
  • Demonstrable – Probable
  • Warranty – No
  • Margin/VAT – Margin car
  • Body – Coupe
  • Engine – 3.2 liter V8 with 140 hp
  • Drive – Rear-wheel drive
  • Transmission – 4-speed steering column shift
  • Exterior – Green
  • Interior – Brown-Black
  • Upholstery – Leather
  • Smoker – No
  • Owners – 2 previous owners
  • Tires – Michelin Energy 215-60-16, >5mm, DOT 2012

The description of this Collectable has been compiled with the utmost care, based on information provided by and validated by the seller. The Collectables performs a (pre)selection based on the information provided and consults public sources for any irregularities. The vehicles are sold "as is" without any warranty unless otherwise stated. Bidders are responsible for verifying the accuracy of the description and may, if desired, conduct a personal inspection. All collectables on our platform may be subject to any inspection, investigation, or appraisal by buyers in advance, in consultation with the seller. Please consult our Terms and Conditions for more details. 

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