BMW 501 Price Guide

The BMW 501 was the car that relaunched BMW after the Second World War. It was a large, handsome saloon that demonstrated the company’s survival and ambition, even if it did so at such a high price that barely anyone could afford it. Nicknamed the “Baroque Angel” for its sweeping, rounded body, it established BMW’s post-war identity before the Neue Klasse would transform the company’s fortunes in the 1960s.

The Car

Produced from 1952 to 1958, the 501 initially used the pre-war 1,971cc six-cylinder engine producing 65bhp, the same basic unit BMW had used before the war. The body, designed by Peter Schimanowski, was built by hand in small numbers at the Dingolfing facility. Around 8,936 BMWs of the 501/502 family were built in total. The 501 was essentially identical to the 502 except in engine specification. The 502 used V8 engines while the 501 retained the six-cylinder.

Today

The 501 is a rare and significant piece of post-war BMW history. Any survivor in solid condition represents an important connection to the marque’s recovery period. BMW supports the 501/502 family through its Classic division and the BMW Classic Club. Coachwork repair requires specialist knowledge of the hand-built construction.