Specifications
BMW 500 Series
Date of manufacture
1952 – 1964
Bodywork type(s)
Mostly saloons (some cabriolets & coupes)
Early saloons 1952-54 & all cabriolets and coupes built by Baur/Stuttgart
501 - 1952-54 501A/B - 1954-55 501 6-cyl -1955-58*
*(until 1963 to special order for police, etc)
Engine
Type Inline 6 cylinder
Capacity 501 and 501 A/B - 1971cc 501 6-cyl - 2077cc
Bore x stroke 66mm x 96mm
Power 501-65bhp @ 4400 501A/B-72bhp@4400 501 6-cyl- 72bhp@4500
Compression 501 & 501A/B - 6.8:1 501 6-cyl - 7.0:1
Carburettors 501 & 501A/B -1 twin choke, Solex 30 mm d/d 501 6-cyl - 32mmd/d
Valve design Overhead, 2 per cylinder
Valve gear Camshaft in block. Rockers, tappets and springs
Electrics 12 volt
Transmission
Clutch Dry single disc ( Fichtel & Sachs, KF 12-Z 5, 200 mm diameter)
Gearbox ratios
ZF S4 – 15
(below front seats)
1st 4.24:1
2nd 2.35:1
3rd 1.49:1
4th 1.00:1
Axle ratio 4.225 (501/6: or 4.551)
Synchromesh 1st – 4th
Chassis
Frame “Full protection” longitudinal box section with tubular cross beams
Suspension Front: Double wishbones, adjustable torsion bars
Rear: Live axle with adjustable torsion bars
Steering Bevel gear segment and pinion
Brakes Four wheel hydraulic, drum brakes, self adjusting
Handbrake: cables on rear wheels
Dimensions
Wheelbase 2835 mm
Track front/rear 1322 mm/1408 mm
Length/width 4730 mm/1780 mm
Tyres 5.50 x 16
General
Fuel capacity 58 litres
Max speed 501 - 84 mph 501A/B and 501 6-cyl - 90 mph
Number produced C. 8950 all 6 cylinder incl. chassis only. These figures include 44 convertibles (1954-56 including 7 4-door) and 5 coupes (1955) all manufactured by Baur
Club Mailing Address
BMW Historic Motor Club
Lower Norgrove,
Yarrington Road,
Alfrick,
Worcestershire.
WR6 5EX