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BMW introduced their postwar 500 series of sedans in 1951 with the unveiling of the 501 at the Frankfurt Auto Show. Like other models in the series, the car was nicknamed "Baroque Angel" because of its curvy, full-bodied design, which reminded people of the carved wooden figures present in German and Austrian churches during the Baroque period.
With the Eisenach plant now under Soviet control, the 501 was the first BMW to be built completely in Munich. Early versions had a 1971 cc straight six cylinder engine with 60 bhp that could reach a top speed of 140 km/h. The car also sported double wishbone independent front suspension and a live rear axle located by an A-frame. Torsion bars provided spring action on all four wheels. Hand built on a chassis with box section side members and tubular cross-members, the car was quite advanced for its time. The transmission was separate from the engine for weight distribution purposes. The 501 also had a wraparound rear window with cloth interior. A Becker radio was standard and chrome trim set off the flowing curves of the body. The price was about DM20,000, which, at the time, was the price of a house.
(01/17/2008)
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