1960 | BMW 502 - 3.2 Litre Super

• Four-door cabriolet custom-built by coachbuilder Autenrieth in Darmstadt for a lawyer in Hamburg
• Restored over four years, excellent mint condition
• Engine ‘Matching Numbers’, powerful 3.2 litre V8 engine
• Ownership history almost completely known and documented, only six owners in Germany and Austria
• Participant in the Concours d'Elegance Pebble Beach 2016
• A striking and very original one-off that would enrich any high-calibre BMW collection

This BMW is absolutely unique. A four-door convertible body was created for a BMW 502 Rolling Chassis with a 3.2 litre V8 engine from in 1960. It was built by the coachbuilder Autenrieth in Darmstadt and commissioned by the Hamburg lawyer Walter Hoepffner. According to the original vehicle registration document, the car was first registered to him on 25 February 1960. With a price of more than 31,000 Deutschmarks, the tailor-made BMW was in the price range of the BMW 507 and Mercedes-Benz 300 SL at the time.

The clean and modern design conceals a high degree of elegance – the famous love that only unfolds at second glance. Its paintwork in the colour “dark red-brown” develops a deep, dark red shine and high luminosity, especially in sunlight. The paint finish is absolutely smooth and even the chrome trim sparkles like on the first day. The bodywork is of high quality as well. All side panels have excellent flatness, the gaps and fits are excellent. The low window system with frameless side windows and the flat soft top give this one-off an almost sporty touch. The dashboard made of light-coloured wood and with silver-grey instruments was individually manufactured and differs from the 502 series of the time.

According to the original vehicle registration document, the car was registered after one year to a family member of the first owner, who kept the special BMW until the summer of 1966. The car then remained in Hamburg and passed into the hands of a car technician (name known). In 1968, the Autenrieth Cabriolet came to a young automobile historian (name known), who was fascinated by the unique example.

The car was later owned by a tax consultant along with other classic cars and was purchased by a well-known classic car collector and dealer in Austria in 2004. A comprehensive restoration over four years to new condition followed. Subsequently, a FIVA passport and an individual approval certificate for Austria were issued in 2009. A few years later (2015/2016), the BMW entered the collection of a logistics and transport entrepreneur, also in Austria. He was invited to present the Autenrieth Cabriolet at the famous Pebble Beach Concours d'Elegance in 2016 – as part of a ‘special delegation’ to celebrate the 100th anniversary of the BMW brand. A privileged honour and proof of the special status of this unique automobile.

The engine is of course the original unit and the V8 technology with 140 hp promises sufficient power and performance in every driving situation. Thanks to its generous amount of space, it is easy to imagine travelling with the family to far-flung destinations in this car. The Autenrieth Cabriolet would also be a potential winner at any Concours d'Elegance. A customised bodywork of this beauty is simply extraordinary.