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BMW

501

1951 - 1954

The BMW 501, nicknamed the "Baroque Angel" for its elegant lines, was produced from 1952 to 1958. This luxury model marked BMW's return to the automotive market after World War II. Available in sedan, coupe, and convertible versions, the 501 was appreciated for its distinctive design and comfort. The variants referenced by ScanRacer include the 1954 Coupé by Baur and the 1951 Limousine.

Variants by year

3 versions

1954

5
R
1954
501 Cabriolet by Baur
5
R
1954
501 Coupé by Baur

1951

5
R
1951
501 Limousine

Model summary

Data from the ScanRacer library, organized to compare versions quickly.

3referenced versions
1951 - 1954covered years
0published scans
0contributing members
—latest photo
Raredominant rarity

Model introduction

The BMW 501, nicknamed the "Baroque Angel" for its elegant lines, was produced from 1952 to 1958. This luxury model marked BMW's return to the automotive market after World War II. Available in sedan, coupe, and convertible versions, the 501 was appreciated for its distinctive design and comfort. The variants referenced by ScanRacer include the 1954 Coupé by Baur and the 1951 Limousine.

History

The BMW 501 was introduced to the public in April 1951 at the Frankfurt Motor Show, marking BMW's first automobile model after World War II. Production began in 1952, with bodies constructed by Karosserie Baur of Stuttgart due to the lack of in-house equipment for pressing body panels. The model was nicknamed the "Baroque Angel" by the German public because of its curved lines and distinctive style. In 1954, the range was expanded with the introduction of the 501A and 501B models, offering technical improvements and a price reduction to boost sales. Production continued until 1958, when the 501 and 502 models were discontinued, although variants based on the same platform were produced until 1963.

Generations

The BMW 501 was produced in a single generation from 1952 to 1958. During this period, several variants were introduced, including the 501A and 501B models in 1954, offering technical improvements and a price reduction to boost sales. In 1955, the 501/3 was launched, replacing the 501A and 501B models, with an updated version of the M337 engine. The same year, the 501 V8 was introduced, equipped with a 2.6-liter V8 engine derived from the BMW 502. These developments allowed the BMW 501 to remain competitive in the luxury car market of the time.

Key differences

The BMW 501 underwent several technical developments during its production. In 1954, the 501A and 501B models were introduced, offering technical improvements and a price reduction to boost sales. In 1955, the 501/3 replaced the 501A and 501B models, with an updated version of the M337 engine. The same year, the 501 V8 was introduced, equipped with a 2.6-liter V8 engine derived from the BMW 502. These developments allowed the BMW 501 to remain competitive in the luxury car market of the time.

Photo recognition

To identify a BMW 501, look for a luxury sedan from the 1950s with curved lines and prominent fenders, characteristic of the "baroque" style. The 1954 501A and 501B models have technical improvements and a price reduction compared to the original model. The 1955 501/3 features an updated version of the M337 engine, while the 1955 501 V8 is equipped with a 2.6-liter V8 engine derived from the BMW 502. These details can help distinguish the different variants of the BMW 501.

Important versions

Important versions of the BMW 501 include the 1954 Coupé by Baur, an elegant variant produced in collaboration with the coachbuilder Baur, and the 1951 Limousine, a luxury sedan version. These models are referenced by ScanRacer and offer distinct features appreciated by collectors and classic car enthusiasts.

References

Frequently asked questions

What years was the BMW 501 produced?
ScanRacer's referenced versions cover 1951 - 1954.