Nobody Has Ever Touched This 1959 BMW 503 Coupe, Still Unrestored and Original

35 years in storage. Unrestored. Completely original. These are just some of the key tidbits that describe what is undoubtedly a rare BMW.

The 503 coupe isn’t something you see every day. Only 273 such cars were produced between 1956 and 1959, and coming across one specimen in the United States is even rarer.

The reason is simple. Not only was production very low overall, but shipping such a car to the States cost extra dollars that almost nobody wanted to pay. Furthermore, it’s not a secret that the 503 was an expensive car from the very beginning, and considering locally built cars, such as Chevys and Fords, were significantly more affordable, Americans weren’t necessarily interested in BMWs.

This 503 arrived in America in the early ‘70s, and like all the siblings, came with a 3.2-liter engine under the hood. The same V8 is still in the car, which makes sense, considering it’s described as an unrestored and original car.

This means nobody has ever touched this car, so the reason it’s online is that it needs a complete restoration.

The car has been sitting for 35 years, and you can tell this is true by simply checking out the photos. Every little inch of this BMW needs more or less attention, with the cabin exhibiting the typical classic car issues, including wrecked seats. The people at Gullwing Motor Cars claim a full restoration is the only option, and I agree. This 503 can become a true collectible with the right work, but there’s no doubt that saving it is going to cost high dollars.

The 503 has always been an expensive car anyway. BMW equipped it with aluminum panels for reduced weight and an alloy V8 block, so every single specimen cost big bucks to produce. BMW didn’t mind, but customers certainly did, as neither the coupe nor the cabriolet impressed from a sales perspective.

The V8 engine in this 503 is no longer running, so my recommendation is that you send your mechanic to check what happens under the hood. 35 years in storage could lead to a seized engine, but considering the low production numbers, spending your dollars on saving the V8 just to keep the car original is probably worth it. All numbers are matching, the dealer says.

As for the selling price, it’s hard to be surprised that this rare BMW costs more than the typical American classic. Currently in a project car shape and requiring major work in every key area, this 1959 BMW 503 coupe can be yours for $117,500. The dealer has also enabled the Make Offer option, meaning they are willing to listen to whatever deal you have in mind.

The car is parked in Astoria, New York, and it’ll need to be shipped to your garage, considering the non-running engine.