Description
This vehicle is being offered by the Gooding and Co. Auction in Scottsdale, AZ on Saturday, January 21st. Please contact Gooding and Co. for any additional information before that date.
When new this BMW 503 Coupe was a special order in the striking color of Ultramaron Metallic over saddle leather with brown piping – the combination was absolutely spectacular! The 503 was no doubt imported by Mr. Hoffman and eventually sold to an owner in Manitowoc, Wisconsin, on March 8, 1957.
In 1962, William Forde purchased the BMW from the original owner in Wisconsin. A resident of Rochester, Minnesota, Mr. Forde brought the car home and, over the next few years, conducted his own work on the 503 while seeing that it experienced regular use. A series of invoices from Hoffman Motors Corp. and BMW Automobile Parts, as well as correspondence, highlights Mr. Forde’s work on the car in the early 1960s. Mr. Forde became an enthusiastic member of the BMW Car Club shortly after acquiring his new 503. A sports car man at heart, Mr. Forde kept the 503 for many years alongside his 1962 Devin Roadster.
In 1971, the car was put into dry storage where it remained for approximately three decades until Mr. Forde passed away nearly 40 years after his initial acquisition of the car.
Acquired by a well-known Santa Barbara enthusiast, the 503 was found to be in wonderful original condition and, with just over 39,000 original miles, the car proved to be a shining example of preservation. Only the necessary mechanical work was conducted immediately to bring it back to its road-going splendor.
The near-45 years had taken its toll on the paint surface and, although the car remained straight, the decision was made to repaint it. With preservation in mind, the 503 was refinished in the stunning original color of Ultramaron Metallic. Some of the chrome trim was replated as necessary and the wonderful original interior remains intact today. The trunk remains very original, with the exception of some necessary replacement of carpeting. The engine bay received minor detailing and the undercarriage was left to show its solid state.
This well-preserved and exceptionally rare Series II V-8 503 BMW is offered with its original owner’s manual and an extensive file from Mr. Forde’s early ownership. The big brother to the 507, the 503 remains nearly as scarce – particularly in the original condition presented here. Limited ownership and low mileage, in addition to recent attentive refurbishment, make this a very unique and collectible car worthy of consideration.
