BMW’s new 502 saloon made its debut in the spring of 1954 at the Geneva International Motor Show.

Based heavily on the 501 saloon, the more potent 502 was powered by an alloy-block 2.6-litre V-8, becoming the first V-8-powered car to be built in Germany after the war.

The following year, at the Internationale Automobil-Ausstellung in Frankfurt, BMW exhibited a 3.2-litre version of the 502, aptly badged the “502 3.2”.

Model development culminated in April 1957 with the announcement of the 3.2 Super, which brought improvements in the form of Zenith two-barrel carburettors and an increased compression ratio of 7.5:1.

Now producing 140 PS, the top-spec variant had a maximum speed of 170 km/h.

In 1959 power steering became available, and all were supplied with front discs brakes.

Noted as an example from the 1959 model year, this BMW 502 left the Munich factory as a 3.2 Super.

Today, it is finished in the classic colour scheme of black over a grey velour interior.

BMW’s efforts to d...