From July 24 to August 10, BMW Museum will be showcasing the exhibition “Elvis’s BMW 507: Lost & Found” where visitors can get a closer look at Elvis Presley’s car in its current state.
This is a very rare opportunity especially for those who admire the BMW 507. The car has rarity value, since 1955-1959, only 254 were made. The 507 features a lightweight V8 engine and has always been regarded as a must-have amongst film stars including the King of Rock-and-Roll. But Elvis Presley was a GI when he bought it while stationed in Germany. The example that he bought had been displayed at the Frankfurt Motor Show, used as a press car and raced by Hans Stuck (which is how Elvis came to see it in the first place), so when he took delivery of it second-hand, the dealership had a new engine installed. It was originally white, but legend has it that Elvis got tired of women writing their phone numbers on the side of it in lipstick that he had it repainted in red.
Stories differ on what exactly happened to it next, with some saying that he returned it once the lease was up and others saying that the army shipped it back to him in the States after his tour was over. But what we do know is that the car sat for many years, neglected but sheltered from the elements. After nearly 60 years, Elvis’ Roadster returns to BMW Museum in Munich in good shape, where it will be on display for visitors until August 10, after which the BMW Group Classic department will undertake a comprehensive restoration of the star-studded roadster that’s expected to take two years.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JOgX-Fu4F7o
