When the BMW 507 Elvis Presley drove in Germany during his deployment there as a U.S. soldier was uncovered in 2014, it was a big deal. Mix together the beautiful 507?s ultra-limited 254-car production run in the 1950s and, well, Elvis, and you have classic-car gold. After having made its way through multiple owners and losing its original engine and transmission somewhere along the way, the 507 found its way into the collection of a Californian, Jack Castor, who, with help, discovered its very famous one-time owner. He sold it on to BMW Classic two years ago, and the car was displayed in its as-found condition?rough, to say the least?in Germany for a short time before BMW embarked on a total restoration that will be showed off at the 2016 Pebble Beach Concours d?Elegance. The restoration itself was a challenge, as the car was in pretty sorry shape when BMW Classic got its hands on it. Chassis no. 7079?s absent engine was replaced by a ?new? aluminum 3.2-liter V-8 made up of original and reproduction parts, and the aluminum body and steel chassis were stripped down and refinished using 1950s-era techniques. The frame needed to be repaired?it had been cut away in places to fit a Chevy engine?and an all-new black-and-white interior incorporating 3D-printed replica trim and a new dashboard casting was fitted.
More intriguing than the restoration is the car?s incredible history. As if it were possible to gild The King?s ownership of the 507, Elvis wasn?t the only famous man...