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Upscale driving comfort in a noble shell - BMW 501 V8 (historical test)

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Created on April 15, 1957

Reading time 9min

Written by:

Paul Schweder

Photos:

BMW AG

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Archiv

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BMW AG

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Archiv

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BMW 501 (1955) - im Jahr 1955 gab es den 501 als Sechs- und Achtzylinder

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BMW 501 (1953) - auf Pressefahrt

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BMW 501 (1951) - Präsentation auf der IAA

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BMW 501 (1951) - Premiere auf der IAA im Jahr 1951

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BMW 501 (1955) - Der letzte Schliff in den Fertigungshallen

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BMW 501 (1952) - Auslieferung der ersten BMW 501 mit Sechszylindermotor

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BMW 501 (1952) - charmant präsentiert

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BMW 501 (1953) - Internationale Automobilausstellung (IAA) in Frankfurt 1953 - Seitenansicht, rechts-vorne

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BMW 501 (1953) - auf Schnee zeigt sich die hervorragende Strassenlage besonders

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BMW 502 (1957) - optisch war der luxuriöse 502 kaum vom 501 zu unterscheiden

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BMW 501 (1955) - inzwischen brillierte der Sechszylinder mit 72 PS

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BMW 501 A (1955) - 72 PS stark und auch mit sechs Personen 145 km/h schnell

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BWM 501/3 (1955) - Isar-12, im Einsatz für die Polizei

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BMW 501 (1962) - äusserlich unterscheiden sich die Versionen 2600 L und 3200 S nicht

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BMW 501 (1953) - formschönes Lenkrad und Armaturenbrett

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BMW 501 (1955) - Cockpit - Abbildung aus der Betriebsanleitung des V8

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BMW 501 (1955) - liess sich offensichtlich auch von zarter Damenhand fahren

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BMW 501 B (1954) - staubdicht und diebstahlsicher können fünf grosse Koffer verstaut werden

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BMW 501 (1953) - Durchsichtszeichnung - die windschlüpfrige Karosserie bietet bei sehr komfortabler Geräumigkeit und gediegener Innenausstattung sechs Personen bequem Platz

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BMW 501 (1953) - Interieur mit Platz für sechs Personen

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BMW 501 (1953) - Technische Skizze - Anordnung der linken Vorderachshälfte, siwie von Lenkgetrieb und Spurstangen

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BMW 501 (1955) - Technische Skizze - Federung der Hinterachse - durch geschickte Wahl der Anlenkpunkte und Länge des Verbindungsgliedes zwischen Federhebel und Hinterachsbrücke wird eine progressiv wirkende Federung geschaffen

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BMW 501 (1952) - die Hinterachse wurde von den zeitgenössischen Testern geschätzt

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BMW 501 (1955) - Technische Skizze - neuzeitliche Belüftungsanlage, die mit Überdruck arbeitet und bei allen Witterungsverhältnissen einen angenehmen Aufenthalt im Wageninneren ermöglicht

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BMW 501 (1953) - Blick auf den Motor im Fahrgestell

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BMW 501 (1953) - Vorderradaufhängungen

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BMW 501 (1954) - Werbung in der ADAC Motorwelt im Januar 1954

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Summary

As early as 1951, the Bavarian Motor Works (BMW) presented its first post-war automobile, the Type 501. It cleverly combined pre-war technology with new approaches. In 1954, the 502 was the first German V8 engine to be launched after the war. This engine was eventually also installed in the 501, which could also be sold more cheaply with slightly less equipment. Paul Schweder tested one of these 501s with V8 engines for the magazine krafthand in 1957. This article reproduces the original wording of the road test and shows the BMW 501 in many historical pictures.

This article contains the following chapters

Earning a good reputation
That certain something
The new start was not easy
On new paths
Astonishing elasticity of the engine
Conservative elegance of the bodywork
High acceleration is appreciated
The chassis
Fuel consumption
Comfortable luxury

Estimated reading time: 9min

Preview (beginning of the article)

Despite the large number of models available to buyers on the European and American automobile market, there are only a few vehicle brands that have a special aura about them. This does not even necessarily have anything to do with the quality of the brand in question. The modern car buyer knows far too well that - generally speaking - a certain standard of performance is achieved by all types. The competition is far too fierce for any company to allow itself to build below the general level of performance. And yet there are some brands which, like others, are "world-famous" but are spoken of with a certain reverence because they represent something special in the eyes of the public.

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