Some projects stand out because they protect something more fragile than horsepower figures or lap times: history. A Canadian craftsman running the label Zeitworks has built a niche turning original vintage-car interiors into handcrafted leather goods. His latest work may be his most remarkable yet. He recently sourced the original interior leather from a 1957 BMW 503, one of the rarest postwar BMWs ever built. Only a little over 400 cars left the factory, making this interior material exceptionally scarce today.
Instead of being discarded during restoration, the leather was rescued and shaped into a small series of functional, handmade pieces. For BMW fans who appreciate heritage, patina, and craftsmanship, this is the kind of project that hits on all levels.
Breathing New Life Into a Classic
The leather pulled from this 503 wasn’t re-dyed or artificially freshened. It wears its decades honestly — softened color, natural variations, and the imprint of time. Each bag and wallet carries that history forward in a way that feels authentic rather than decorative. The limited run includes three pieces: a laptop bag, a weekender duffle, and a billfold wallet. All are handmade in Canada, and once this leather is gone, the series ends permanently. There is no “restock” for a material that existed in a single 1957 BMW. Today, the company is also running a Black Friday 25% OFF promotion.
The 1957 BMW 503 Laptop Bag — $2,706 USD
A daily-use bag built from the cabin of a vintage grand tourer. It blends mid-century material with modern practicality.
- Padded laptop compartment
- Zippered interior and exterior pockets
- Four internal open accessory pockets
- Adjustable, detachable shoulder strap
- Carry handle
- Size: 38 cm × 27 cm × 10 cm (15” × 10½” × 3½”)
It’s a serious piece for someone who values heritage over trends — and one who enjoys explaining that their laptop bag came from a BMW designed by Albrecht von Goertz. You can see it here.
The 1957 BMW 503 Weekender / Duffle Bag — $3,007 USD
This is where the patina and texture tell the story most clearly. A travel bag built from interior leather that once sat inside a hand-built luxury coupe nearly seventy years ago.
- Zippered interior pocket and multiple compartments
- Exterior zip pocket
- Adjustable and detachable strap
- Hand-polished zippers
- Size: 22” × 7” × 13”
- Handle drop: 5”
- Detachable strap length: 20”
It has the presence of a vintage object but the practicality of a modern one — the kind of item you end up passing down rather than wearing out. You can find it here.
The 1957 BMW 503 Wallet — $128 USD
The most accessible piece of the trio, built for people who want to carry a part of BMW history without committing to a large bag.
- Full-length bill compartments
- Four card pockets with room for up to 20 cards
- Size: 11 cm × 8.5 cm (4½” × 3¼”)
It’s thin, understated, and quietly loaded with backstory. And it will either make for a great wallet to show off at car meets or for a great holiday gift. You can buy it here.
A Car That Helped Save BMW
Part of what makes this project special is the car itself. The BMW 503 belongs to a pivotal moment in the company’s history — the era when BMW moved from prewar survival to postwar ambition. The 503 sat alongside the 507 as a symbol of what BMW wanted to become: modern, elegant, confident. Today, surviving interiors are almost nonexistent.
For collectors and enthusiasts who care about the brand’s roots, this is more than merch. It’s preservation through craftsmanship — and a way to give new purpose to material that once lived inside one of the most beautiful BMWs ever built.
