Elvis Presley - Elvis' BMW 507 - December 21, 1958

Elvis first car in Germany was an old Volkswagen which he eventually gave to his German karate instructor, Jurgen Seydel.

On December 21 1958, Elvis leased a BMW 507 from BMW Glöckler. The car was a 'used' one and Elvis knew this, formerly driven by racing ace Hans Stuck. Elvis was assured by Mr Glöckler that 'the car was very well run in by Mr Stuck'. Stuck had raced the car in several sports car events, but the engine was modified for Elvis to use on a daily basis. (So the car was quite special).

Elvis Presley and his BMW 507 - Dec 21, '58
Elvis' BMW 507 A - 1499 - 'US Forces Germany'
Elvis with his white BMW 507
Elvis with his red BMW 507
Siegrid Schutz with Elvis' red BMW 507
Note the number plate G - 1620

The price seemed very reasonable - the equivalent of $3,750 USD, instead of $7,160 for a brand new one. Not understanding the contract written in German Elvis thought he was buying the car. But no, he later learned it was only on lease and had to be returned when he left Germany.

So BMW used the promotional value of Elvis driving their car, while Elvis had to pay for it.

Elvis had originally wanted a Porsche Spider, probably due to his being a James Dean fan and this is what Dean had (And died in). However this was impossible to get immediately so Elvis took an interest in the BMW 507. Probably the reason he opted for the 'used' car was it's immediate availability.

Elvis was handed the keys to the car on December 21, 1958 in a 'ceremony' in the presence of Uschi Siebert, a former Miss Hessen and then a well known TV personality. A dozen photographers and journalists documented the scene. When he actually took possession of the car is unclear but it would have been in the days following after a service and registration change.

The number plate on the car that was Elvis' was A-1499 ('1958 US Forces In Germany'). The car was plated 'F-04071' before Elvis took delivery.

In August 1959 Elvis swapped the white sportscar at BMW Glöckler for a red 507 which he drove until October 1959.

On the day Elvis spotted a strange looking little car, called BMW Isetta. Elvis ordered king-size Lamar Fike to enter the car, which he refused to do to the relief of Mr Glöckler. It was reported that Elvis also purchased on of these cars on the day but he actually only posed for publicity shots. (Elvis had previously purchased one before he left the States - see below.)

The BMW 507 was not Elvis' first BMW. On December 21, 1957, Elvis' gave Colonel Parker a red Isetta sports car for a Christmas present. (Click the link to see the Colonel in the car.)

The white BMW 507 caused a lot of problems for Elvis with some female fans writing greetings to Elvis, telephone-numbers, and 'I love you's' with pens and lipstick. Impossible to be removed completely.

There is story that Elvis gave away his 507 to Ursula Andress when filming Fun in Acapulco. This is not true. Elvis never owned either car, they were both on lease and were returned to BMW Glöckler.

BMW Gloeckle have a white BMW 507 on display that they claim was driven be Elvis. Probably this is true.

All photos from the books -- A Date With Elvis - Army Days Revisited and Private Presley: The Missing Years - Elvis in Germany. Except the photo at the top right of this page is a BMW promotional image of a 507 similar to the one Elvis leased.

More photos below of Elvis picking up his white BMW 507.

This photo was taken at the entrance of Hotel Grunewald in January 1959

Elvis in the BMW 507 in front Goethestraße 14, in Bad Nauheim - June 1959

Elvis and Hal Wallis Standing next to a Mercedes-Benz sports car (type: 300 SL)

Elvis picking up his white BMW 507 - December 1958

- Elvis Presley With his three-wheel custom-built Messerschmitt - June, 1956

Thanks to Anja Glöckler (No relation to Mr Glöckler mentioned in this article) for correcting us on the spelling of BMW Glöckler.