Designer Albrecht Goertz and the Remarkable BMW 507

The BMW 507 is frequently cited as one of the most beautifully designed cars regardless of era, origin or classification. Designer Albrecht Goertz penned a lithe sports car with near perfect proportions, taut surfacing and brilliant branding signature, resulting in a timeless expression of BMW’s heritage.

At age 24, Goertz arrived in the U.S. after fleeing Nazi Germany. After two years of odd jobs, he found himself in Los Angeles, setting up a small shop modifying Fords. Inspired by the emerging custom car culture, he designed and built the “Paragon,” a radically altered 1940 Mercury coupe. The Paragon earned the interest of Raymond Loewy, who encouraged Goertz to study car design, eventually hiring him for full-time work at Studebaker. In 1952, Goertz moved to New York and opened his own design studio, where he would work on a wide range of products including Montblanc Pens, various consumer products and a special edition Steinway Grand Piano. The years 1953-1955, however, would prove to be a pivotal time for Goertz, as he befriended  Max Hoffman (BMW’s U.S. importer) who eagerly hired him to design both the 503 and 507 series cars.