Ready to rock 'n' roll: Elvis Presley's iconic BMW 507 restored after being 'lost' for 50 years 

  • It took nearly two years to recondition Elvis Presley's car
  • It reportedly disappeared for five decades after he traded in the red motor with a Chrysler dealer in New York 
  • The original body parts were virtually all intact, but the roadster had lost its engine and gearbox

By Hannah Al-othman For Mailonline

Published: 06:48 EST, 13 October 2016 | Updated: 06:48 EST, 13 October 2016

Elvis Presley's iconic BMW 507 has been restored after it was 'lost' for half a century.

It took nearly two years to recondition the King of Rock 'n' Roll's car, after 50 years' worth of rust and wear and tear had taken its toll.

The King used to ferry his beloved vehicle between his home in Bad Nauheim and the US Army Base in Friedberg, Germany, and the rusty motor was restored in Munich.

Elvis Presley's iconic BMW 507 has been restored after it was 'lost' for half a century

Elvis Presley's iconic BMW 507 has been restored after it was 'lost' for half a century

It took nearly two years to recondition the car after rust had taken its toll

It took nearly two years to recondition the car after rust had taken its toll

Ulrich Knieps, head of BMW Group Classic who oversaw the restoration, said: 'The opportunity to bring back the BMW 507 owned by the King of Rock 'n' Roll to us here in Munich was a dream come true for all those involved.

'This was an exceptionally fascinating project and the outcome is not simply a source of great pride to us.' 

The 507, with the chassis number 70079, has been restored to its original condition

The 507, with the chassis number 70079, has been restored to its original condition

The car was put on display for the first time since its restoration in Pebble Beach, California, this summer

The car was put on display for the first time since its restoration in Pebble Beach, California, this summer

Restoration started in summer 2014 after the rusty motor was exhibited at the BMW Museum, Munich.

Although the original body parts and other components were virtually all present and intact, the roadster had lost its engine and gearbox.

The rear axle was a replacement part of unknown origin, rust was eating away the floor assembly, the seats were worn and there was no instrument panel. 

Although its body was intact, the vintage roadster had lost its engine and gearbox

Although its body was intact, the vintage roadster had lost its engine and gearbox

Rust had also eaten away at the floor of the car, and there was no instrument panel

Rust had also eaten away at the floor of the car, and there was no instrument panel

The car reportedly disappeared for five decades after Elvis traded in the red motor with a Chrysler dealer in New York.

After its next owner Tommy Charles used it in several races, it was then sold again in 1963.

Jack Castor bought the car in 1968, completely unaware of its connections to Elvis until journalist Jackie Jouret got in touch. 

The epic restoration job was carried out by BMW Group Classic in Munich

The epic restoration job was carried out by BMW Group Classic in Munich

The King of Rock and Roll's once-red car has now had a gleaming white makeover 

The King of Rock and Roll's once-red car has now had a gleaming white makeover 

Jouret said: 'Jack had tied down its engine bonnet with ropes.

'It took some time until we actually got the engine compartment open and identified the stamped chassis number: 70079, the Holy Grail among BMW numbers.' 

The motorcar has now been completely brought back to its original condition, and has gone on display for the first time since the work was completed.

The 507, with the chassis number 70079, was displayed at the Concours d'Elegance in Pebble Beach, California, in August 2016.

 

Comments (11)

Share what you think

 View all

The comments below have not been moderated.

 View all

The views expressed in the contents above are those of our users and do not necessarily reflect the views of MailOnline.

Add your comment

By posting your comment you agree to our house rules.

Who is this week's top commenter? Find out now