Gooding & Company’s annual Amelia Island Auction on Friday, March 7 will offer an extraordinary collection of BMW cars. Highlights include a 1957 BMW 507 Series II, a 1980 BMW M1, and a 1972 BMW 3.0 CSL. Other V-8, Neue Klasse, and high-performance models will be on the block as well, with many of the lots being offered without reserve. A total of fifteen unique BMWs will be offered, representing significant examples of the marque from the 1950s to the 1980s.
The auction is an exciting addition to the events surrounding the Amelia Island Concours d’Elegance, which will be held March 7–9, 2014 on Amelia Island, Florida. The Concours itself already has a considerable BMW element, featuring a “Batmobile” class with many impressive BMW 3.0 CSLs, both racing and street versions; most significantly, the first BMW art car—the Calder BMW 3.0 CSL Le Mans car.
David Gooding, President and Founder of Gooding & Company: “Spanning four decades of German engineering and innovation, these cars represent a significant presentation of BMWs. The emerging market for BMWs has set a trend in the collector car community not unlike the demand for Mercedes and Porsche from the same period. It is a very exciting time for these collectibles and we feel privileged to offer this impressive single-marque grouping in Amelia Island.”
1957 BMW 507 Series II
Very rare and one of only 252 built, the 507 was designed by Albrecht Goertz. It is estimated to bring between $1,500,000 and $1,800,000 at auction. Delivered new to the United States, this particular car was featured on the cover of Roundel Magazine and was loaned to BMW for use at the Los Angeles Auto Show for the launch of the Z3.
1980 BMW M1
The M1 was BMW’s original supercar and the first designated M car. The auction estimate is $325,000 to $375,000. Designed for endurance racing, 399 homologation M1 road cars were built. The auction car has been mainly in one family and has only about 25,000 miles on it.
1972 BMW 3.0 CSL
Produced between 1972 and 1975, the BMW 3.0 CSL was also a racing car homologated for the road. Specific features included a lightweight alloy hood and outer door skins, thin-gauge steel panels, lightweight interior, and an uprated motorsport inspired engine. One of only 169 early carbureted CSLs, this car is estimated to bring $125,000 to $175,000 at auction (no reserve). This car has been restored.
Additional BMWs being offered include: several V8 models (501, 501A, 3200 CS, 503 Coupe), various Neue Klasse models (2000 CS, 1602, 2000 Sedan), a selection of high-performance models (1600 GT, M6) and a full range of Isettas, from the 300 to the 600.
The auction will take place Friday, March 7, 2014 starting at 11:00am ET, with a public preview on March 6 and 7. A live auction broadcast will be on http://www.goodingco.com.—Scott Blazey
[Photos: Gooding & Company]
