1973 3.0CSiL 2285475

 

Outside color (paint code): Taiga metallic (072)

2285475 was brought to Australia from the UK prior to the mid-1980’s. The car had substantial restoration performed in Australia time but has since been sitting for the last few years. The seller says it need only minimal work to be roadworthy. Find it here on eBay in Australia with a Buy-It-Now of AU$45k (~$38,900 USD). Special thanks to Australian BaT reader Vic V. for this submission!

The seller displays the car with some funky lighting and dark garage scenes which looks pretty good but we’d want an in-person inspection. The 14″ spoke wheels and chrome arch trim work on the lightweights, and and the doors, trunk, and hood on this car are the correct aluminum.

Inside the car has custom wood that looks great and the right motorsport wheel. A previous owner re-covered the Scheel seats in plaid which we’d probably swap out for some vintage corduroy.

Under the hood the car is very complete but our eyes always gravitate towards the inner fender seams and strut tops, a common place for rust and accident issues. The engine was bored out to 3153cc during a performance rebuild in 2002.

This is an ambition project if it is badly rusted, but even if so the lightweight cache will make it worthy of higher investment than a standard CS. This funky color is gaining favor and much like the “finished product” photo shown at the end of the auction, we think this one will look great post-restoration. The seller prefers an Aussie buyer, but we suspect there will be plenty of British and Japanese buyers hungry for this car too. Our dream scenario is to have it sorted in Australia and then to take to touring in New Zealand. No chance you ever pass another one!

 

 

SZQ 174

ebay ad

1973 BMW 3.0CSL - the car that started BMW Motorsport

THE MOST COLLECTABLE MODERN ERA BMW ON EARTH!

This car is the dream machine for any BMW lover. Aside from the 1950s convertables etc, this is THE most collectable BMW. This car gets looks from drivers of brand new M3s etc...
One of only 500 RHD 3.0 CSLs made. This is a REAL CSL, not a replica or a modified CSi.

The Legendary Lightweight version of the classic CS couple (designed by Italian visionary Bertone), developed for use in the European Touring Car Championship of the 70's... This is essentially the road going homologation special. And it's fast.

Metalic Green 'Taiga'

99% original. The previous owner was vigilant about keeping as much of the car original possible. Original colour, engine, gearbox, electronics, panels etc... Has rear speakers and amp fitted by the original owner, plus tartan-esque seat inserts. The original artificial woodwork has been replaced by a proper timber replica created by a French cabinet maker. Black interior with original interior includes original gear stick, steering wheel & Scheel bucket seats. Comes with two air-con units not fitted.

Engine was re-built by a Sydney based German mechanic in 2002 and was bored out to the 'final spec' 3153cc capacity. Compression ratio can easily be increased to more powerful 'batmobile' spec through removing a spacer/gasket on the head.

Specs

6 cylinder
SOHC 2 valve head
Bosch Electronic Fuel Injection
200+ BHP
Original 4 Speed manual transmission

All the special CSL mechanicals: suspension, exhaust system, wide wheels, wheel arches...

Lightweight Body with Aluminium Doors, Bonnet, Boot...

Weight: 1165kg
220kmh top speed
(not that I've experienced that)

History

From what I'm told, the car was originally from the UK and imported by a famous Melbounre Chef. Was then bought by the fellow I bought it from in the mid-80's and almost completely restored by him on a mechanical and cosmetic level. I have owned it for 6.5 years and have kept it garaged for the entire time I have owned it.

The car requires a body restoration of sorts and a paint job to get to to an immaculate level. The 'Batmobile' style wing kit could also be aquired and fitted for a total CSL experience.

This car has been in storage for a few years and needs only minor work done to get it roadworthy.

_________________

BACKGROUND

This model has motorsport heritage. Won multiple class victories at the Le Mans 24hr alongside many other European Sportscar and Touring car races, won the Daytona 24 hour outright in the late 70s with a young Canadian Allan Moffat driving... the list goes on!

Here's some more info on the history of the original CSL.

"The lightweight CSL BMWs were built to homologate the big six-cylinder coupes into Group 2 European Touring Car racing. They proved spectacularly successful, and remained competitive long after the production cars had been replaced. Based on the pillarless Karmann-built steel shell that dated back to 1965, the first road-going 3.0 CSL - announced in May 1971 - was a real stripped-out road racer. It featured thinner body panels, no front bumper (fibreglass rear bumper) racing latches on the bonnet, manual winding side windows (made from Plexiglas) and alloy-skinned opening panels - all in the name of weight reduction.

Along with a drastically cheaper interior, 400lb was paired off the coupe. Whilst the top speed was not reatly affected by this diet, acceleration was decisively improved. The suspension was stiffened and the wheels were fat Alpina 17in. (43cm) alloys with chrome wheelarch extensions to keep them legal. Black accent stripes distinguished the CSL from the standard CS/CSi. 169 wre built, all with left-hand drive.

Originally fitted with the 2985cc carburetted verion of the in-line six (giving 180bhp), a slight bore increase in August 1972 gave 3003cc, which allowed the CSL to slip into 3-litre Group 2 competition. At the same time Bosch electronic fuel injection replaced the twin Zenith carburettors, and power rose to 200 bhp.

The bespoilered 3.2-litre CSL was announced in August 1973. It had a bigger 3.2-litre 206bhp engine to homologate the 84mm stroke used on the 3.5-litre works racing coupe. The famous 'Batmobile' spoiler (or racing kit) was packed away in the boot on cars sold in West Germany, where such appendages were never legal. Manual steering and Bilstein gas-pressure shock absorbers meant that the 3.2-litre CSL didn't need an anti-roll bar.

Much confusion exists over the evolution Batmobile model, but most experts agree that only 39 of these were built all LHD. Most, if not all of the
RHD models came with the luxurious Town and Country pack including electric windows, real glass, and real metal front and rear bumpers. Original spec wheels for this car were Alpina style alloy wheels in 7"x14" size mounted with Michelin 195/70 x14 XWX tyres."

Owners:

• Was brought to Australia from the UK prior to the mid-1980’s.
• Production 1973