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If you were reading the 11th October edition of Autocar in 1957, you might have noticed an advertisement headlined ‘For the Discerning Motorist’.

Naturally, you read on, as this clearly referred to a driver such as yourself, one who appreciated ‘Sober elegance of line, outstanding performance, admirable road holding and first-class craftsmanship’.

The sales copy might have also included ‘very wealthy’ as the price was far above a Jaguar Mk. VIII.

Indeed, BMW made only 12 502 V8s in RHD form, and it would not be until the 1970s that UK enthusiasts would frequently encounter the roundel badge.

Twenty years earlier, only a few motorists would have contacted the firm’s UK distributors Frazer-Nash, to arrange a test-drive of a 501 or a 502 saloon.

The origins of these magnificent vehicles date back to 1947 when BMW decided to re-start car production at their Munich plant. One idea was to resume building the pre-war 327 or even making Fords and Simcas under licence.

Another plan was to introduce the 600cc 331, but management ultimately decided to develop a large and well-appointed vehicle.

This was in part due to their focusing their efforts on a familiar market.

Furthermore, a prestige model required less in the way of production than investment than a volume model.

The 501 debuted in April 1951 at the Frankfurt Motor Show and was soon nicknamed the “Baroque Angel” for its distinctive Peter Schimanowski lines. Power was from the 1,971 six-cylinder unit from the pre-war 326 with a four-speed all-synchromesh gearbox with a column-mounted gear lever.

Steering was via a semi-circular rack and the suspension featured torsion bars fore and aft.

The new BMW gained a reputation for its ride and handling, and it was also cheaper than the rival Mercedes-Benz 300 “Adenauer” - however, 15,000DM was still around four times the average German wage. 1954 saw the debut of the 2.6-litre 502, powered by the country’s first post-war V8.

The price for a motor car of such distinction was 17,800DM – which could have also bought you a quartet of VW Beetles.

When Motor Sport visited the factory in the following year, the Baroque line-up consisted of the 501 in either six or eight-cylinder forms, or the more luxurious 502, which was also available with a 3.2-litre engine.

The scribe regarded the 501 V8  as ‘a first-class example of a modern family saloon, in which a great deal of thought had been given to the wishes of the driver who enjoys motoring as well as those who merely want a travelling lounge’.

As the 1950s progressed, the impact of the “Wirtschaftswunder” economic miracle meant that German motorists were now seeking the likes of the Borgward Isabella.

Meanwhile, the gulf between the Isetta and the Baroque Angel was not so much vast as astronomical. By 1959, BMW was in such dire straits that it came close to being acquired by Daimler-Benz.

As history relates, it was the industrialist Herbert Quandt who prevented the Munich firm from becoming a supplier of bodies for the “Ponton” and the “Adenauer”.

1961 saw the debut of the 1500 “Neue Klasse”, which made the Baroque Angel seem almost an anachronism by comparison. Production ceased in early 1964 and its belated 1968 replacement, the E3 2500/2800, was a very different form of car.

Fifty-six years later, the advertising claim ‘Above all – There Are Millions of Motorists, But The Discriminating Drive BMW’ is still true of the 501 and the 502.

As a tribute to this formidable machine, here is some footage of its most famous role in Germany – the star of the police series Funkstreife Isar 12.  Over and out

Why choose Lancaster Insurance?

Here at Lancaster, we love classic cars as much as you do and we understand what it takes to protect them for future generations.

We have links with some of the top classic car clubs around the country and some of our policies even offer discounts of up to 25% for club members.

Other benefits of classic car insurance through Lancaster can include:

• Historic rally cover
• Static show cover
• Limited mileage discounts
• Choice of repairer
• 24-hour claims helpline

Give your classic the protection it deserves and get a quote for your BMW today.