First revealed at the 1951 Frankfurt Motor Show, the BMW 501 quickly captured the public’s imagination and earned its “Barockengel” (Baroque Angel) nickname for its flowing curves reminiscent of the Baroque era. A lavishly appointed four-door saloon, the 501 underpinned BMW bosses’ desire to conquer the luxury car market in post-war Germany as the economy showed signs of recovery.

Early versions of the car—amassing some 2,125 units between 1952 and 1954 , including the example offered here—were equipped with BMW’s “M337/1” straight-six engine, which offered a 1,971-cc displacement returning a 65 PS power output. A column-mounted gear shifter contributed towards a clean and simple interior layout, which—befitting its nickname—features a golden angel at the centre of the steering wheel.

The example offered here, chassis 40982, was the first addition to The Munich Masterpieces Collection in 1992, having been retained by its prior owner since 1983. The BMW came into the ownership of the consignor in original but tired condition, and was soon subject to an engine rebuild. In the care of the consigning family, the 501-6 was enjoyed over occasional use as a comfortable cruiser for relaxing road trips.