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04/10/2023 10:11 am
BMW had much difficulty getting back on its feet after the devastation of WWll. The delved into motorcycles and tiny automobiles but by 1950, they needed to get back to full sized automobiles or perish. A small coupe, the model 331, was developed and then nixed by the board because, at the time, they didn't have the capacity to produce cheap cars in a volume large enough to turn a profit. Going right into luxury cars and underselling Mercedes seemed the way to go. So in 1951, they unveiled the 501/502 lineup in a 4 door saloon and 2dr coupe and cabriolet. The identical 502 model had their first V8 engine and produced an adequate 100 hp. The Germans gave the saloon the moniker "Baroque Angel". The coupe and cabriolet were special orders fulfilled by a local coach builder. The 6 cylinder 501 was much heavier than the Mercedes and suffered from performance (0-60 in 27 sec). The more luxuriously appointed 502 V8 was designed after the light weight Olds Rocket 88 engine which made it the fastest German production car and its success saved BMW's bacon. Model by AUTOart.
04/10/2023 10:15 am
Great all the way around. I passed on this one years ago, and have always kind of regretted it. Really nice pics Rich.
04/10/2023 10:57 am
A very nice model - packed with little detail and very interesting write-up and photo's. Many thanks.
04/10/2023 8:05 pm
I have the model but never warmed up to this body style.
Rich Sufficool and Christopher Moroni reacted
Topic starter
05/10/2023 9:06 am
@bob-jackman It always looks like it should have a 'bubble gum machine' on the roof and "POLIZEI" painted on the doors.
05/10/2023 10:19 am
I have the model but never warmed up to this body style.
I have Maisto's 502 Cabrio & never liked it much either.
05/10/2023 4:50 pm
Fine shots of this one ! I like this interesting BMW, too.