BMW Z8 -- the BMW 507 Reimagined

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The BMW 507 produced 1956-1959 is widely considered a design classic, especially in the context of its time.  Its Wikipedia entry is here.  It was styled by Albrecht Graf von Schlitz genannt von Goertz von Wrisberg, or in shorter, English terms, Count Albrecht von Goertz (1914-2006) -- Wikipedia entry here.

Wikipedia notes that it was hoped that the 507 would sell well, but in fact only 252 were ever built.

About 40 years later a Chris Bangle design team (Henrik Fisker in charge of the exterior) did what Wikipedia (here) calls a "styling exercise intended to evoke and celebrate" the 507.  A show car followed  in 1997 and production began in 2000, continuing into 2003.  Total produced was 5703.

Below are comparative images of the 507 and Z8.

Gallery

1959 BMW 507, Bonhams auction photo.  Its styling theme is typical 1950s sports car: Flowing fenderline with upkick at the rear, hood lower than the front fenders but with a higher cowl.  The character line extending from the front wheel opening adds individuality.

A for-sale 2002 BMW Z8.  The 507 seems a little spindly from today's perspective, and the Z8 is a filled-out, aerodynamically refined modern package.  The front fenders are high with headlights at the front.  This is a carryover from the 507, but little more than a hint.  Rear quarter shaping vaguely suggests rear fender pickup.  Grilles are the main similarity.  And both cars have air vents abaft of the front wheel opening.

Here is Graf Goertz's personal 507 in a Bonhams photo.  My early quibbles aside, the styling is curvaceous, yet lean, taut.  A very nice 1950s sports car styling theme interpretation.

Rear quarter view showing the variety of curved surfaces employed by Goertz.  The overall impression from this photo is that the various elements -- rear fenders, trunk lid curve, passenger compartment opening, windshield -- are a bit too distinct, not quite as integrated as perhaps they should be.

Similar view of a for-sale Z8.  Here we find bulges suggesting rear fenders.  The trunk lid's surface is convex.  These details feebly recall the 507.  Rather than having perhaps-too-distinct features, we find something of a blob here.

Side view.  Very nice profile proportions and shape.  A bit hard to see, but there are character lines flowing from both wheel openings.  I think the forward one needs to conform a little better to the fender line above it.  The decorated air vent seems arbitrary in its position, shaping and detailing, but something similar is needed nevertheless.

The Z8 has a short character line extending aft of the air vent.  It is in line with the front impact area's cut line, helping to unify the detailing.  The profile itself is less graceful and not as well proportioned than that of Goertz's 507.

Publicity photo of a Z8 alongside a 507.  All things considered, I prefer the 507.

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