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BMW 503 Coupé / Cabriolet (1956-1960)
BMW 503 Cabriolet
The BMW 503 celebrated its debut at the Frankfurt Motor Show in September 1955. The luxury 2+2 seater car was presented to the public as a
coupé and convertible and was the second highlight alongside the BMW 507. From May 1956 until the end of production in spring 1960, only 139
convertibles were produced, being made by hand. With a price of nearly DM 30,000 and the 140 bhp alloy V8 engine, the BMW 503 was one of the most exclusive automobiles of its time.
Apart from the BMW 507, the BMW 503 was the second big highlight presented by BMW at the IAA Frankfurt Motor Show in September 1955. The 2+2-seater car was launched as a coupé (own dataset) and convertible.
In technical terms, the BMW 503 convertible was based on the BMW 502 3.2 litre super. By contrast with the BMW 507, the chassis with the 140 bhp
alloy V8 engine was assembled unchanged under the elegant aluminium bodywork of the BMW 503. Power transmission was effected via a four-speed
gearbox with a steering-column gearshift to the rear wheels, and as in the case of the saloons, the gearbox was located separate from the engine
block under the front seats for reasons of weight. Assembled like this, the BMW 503 achieved some 190 km/h. Around the end of 1957, BMW created
a second series that was mainly distinguished by the straight side trim, the central gear lever instead of the previous steering-column gearshift , and
the gearbox flanged onto the engine. The price was raised from DM 29,500 to DM 32,950.
The convertible was fitted with luxury equipment. Already at that time, BMW was spoiling its customers by supplying this car with electric windows
and even with an electric convertible top. It was only supplied with leather upholstery.
In total, only 139 BMW 503 convertibles were manufactured from May 1956 until the end of production in spring 1960.
General data
Construction...............................1956 - 1960 (May 1956 - May 1960)
Number produce .........................139
Special bodies.............................keine
Price..........................................DM 29,500
Specifications
- Engine
Motortype..........................Eight-cylinder V-engine
Bore x Stroke (mm)..............82 x 75
Capacity............................3168 ccm
Performance.......................140 bhp at 4800 rpm
Max.Speed.........................190 km/h (118 mph)
Compression.......................7.3:1
Valves...............................Overhead, central camshaft
Carburetion system..............2 Zenith 32 NDIX dual-barrel downdraught carburettors
- Powermode
Clutch...............................Single-plate dry clutch
Transmission.......................1st series: Four-speed, steering-column shift; 2nd series: four-speed, central shift
Gearbox ratios.....................1 : 3.78 / 1 : 2.35 / 1 : 1.49 / 1 : 1 (sports gearbox: 1 : 3.54 / 1 : 2.202 / 1 : 1.395 / 1 : 1)
Reverse gear.......................1 : 5.38 (sports gearbox: 1 : 5.03)
Drive transmission................1 : 3.89 or 1 : 3.42
- Electric system
Generator...........................200 W
Battery..............................12 V 56 Ah
Spark plugs.........................Bosch W 225 RT 1 or Beru E 225/14 (with radio)
- Suspension
Body/chassis.......................Full protection box frame with tubular cross members
Front-wheel suspension.........Independent suspension with dual wishbones
Rear-wheel suspension..........Banjo axle located by spring levers and wishbone
Wheel rims..........................4.5 E x 16
Tyres................................6,00 - 16
Front brakes.......................Duplex drum brakes
Front brake diameter (mm).....284
Rear brakes.........................Simplex drum brakes
Rear brake diameter (mm)......284
- Measures and weight
Length x Width x Height (mm).4750 x 1710 x 1440
Wheel base (mm).................2835
Front track (mm).................1400
Rear track (mm)..................1420
Empty weight (kg)...............1500
Permissible total weight (kg)..1800
Fuel consumption (l/100 km)..16
BMW 503 Coupé
Apart from the BMW 507, the BMW 503 was the second big highlight presented by BMW at the IAA Frankfurt Motor Show in September 1955. The
2+2-seater car was launched as a coupé and convertible (own dataset).
In technical terms, the BMW 503 coupé was based on the BMW 502 3.2 litre super. By contrast with the BMW 507, the chassis with the 140 bhp alloy
V8 engine was assembled unchanged under the elegant aluminium bodywork of the BMW 503. Power transmission was effected via a four-speed
gearbox with a steering-column gearshift to the rear wheels, and as in the case of the saloons, the gearbox was located separate from the engine
block under the front seats for reasons of weight. Assembled like this, the BMW 503 achieved some 190 km/h. Around the end of 1957, BMW created
a second series that was mainly distinguished by the straight side trim, the central gear lever instead of the previous steering-column gearshift , and
the gearbox flanged onto the engine. The price was raised from DM 29,500 to DM 32,950.
The coupé was fitted with luxury equipment. Already at that time, BMW was spoiling its customers by supplying this car with electric windows. It was optionally available with fabric or leather upholstery.
From May 1956 until the end of production in spring 1960, only 273 coupés were produced, being made by hand. With a price of nearly DM 30,000
and the 140 bhp alloy V8 engine, the BMW 503 was one of the most exclusive automobiles of its time.
General data
Construction...............................1956 - 1960
Number produce .........................273
Price..........................................DM 29,500
Specifications
- Engine
Motortype..........................8-Zylinder-V-Motor
Bore x Stroke (mm)..............82 x 75
Capacity............................3168 ccm
Performance.......................140 bhp at 4800 rpm
Top speed..........................190 km/h (118 mph)
Compression.......................7.3:1
Valves...............................Overhead, central camshaft
Carburetion system..............2 Zenith 32 NDIX dual-barrel downdraught carburettors
- Powermode
Clutch...............................Single-plate dry clutch
Transmission.......................1st series: Four-speed, steering-column shift; 2nd series four-speed, central shift
Gearbox ratios.....................1 : 3.78 / 1 : 2.35 / 1 : 1.49 / 1 : 1 (sports gearbox: 1 : 3.54 / 1 : 2.202 / 1 : 1.395 / 1 : 1)
Reverse gear.......................1 : 5.38 (sports gearbox: 1 : 5.03)
Drive transmission................1 : 3.89 or 1 : 3.42
- Electric system
Generator...........................200 W
Battery..............................12 V 56 Ah
Spark plugs.........................Bosch W 225 RT 1 or Beru E 225/14 (with radio)
- Suspension
Body/chassis.......................Full protection box frame with tubular cross members
Front-wheel suspension.........Independent suspension with dual wishbones
Rear-wheel suspension..........Banjo axle located by spring levers and wishbone
Wheel rims..........................4.5 E x 16
Tyres.................................6,00 - 16
Front brakes.......................Duplex drum brakes
Front brake diameter (mm).....284
Rear brakes........................Simplex drum brakes
Rear brake diameter (mm).....284
- Measures and weight
Length x Width x Height (mm).4750 x 1710 x 1400
Wheel base (mm).................2835
Front track (mm).................1400
Rear track (mm)...................1420
Empty weight (kg)...............1475
Permissible total weight (kg)..1800
Fuel consumption (l/100 km)..16
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