1972 BMW 3.0 CSL

About the model:

Built as a homologation special built from the E9 CS, a grand touring car designed to replace the 2000 C and 2000 SC. The new E9 features a revised and lighter chassis over the old car and an enlarged engine which gained two extra cylinders to create one of the most famous lineage engines, the BMW straight 6. 

In May 1972 BMW released the CSL to homologate the E9 for racing in the European Touring Car Championship. The ‘L’ in the CSL standard for leicht or light represents the drastic weight saving BMW undertook such as using thinner steel for the body panels, deleted trim and soundproofing, aluminium doors bonnet, boot lid and perspex side windows. This was the first ‘M’ car to be made by BMW’s famed ‘M’ or Motorsport division, although, it never carried the famed ‘M’ badge.

Exterior:

The paintwork is exemplary, having been treated to a bare metal repaint by Avantgarde in 2017 with new period-correct decals all round. The wheels have also recently been refurbished to ensure the car is looking in great condition.

Original sundym windows (list price in period was £7,000 when an E Type V12 £3,300) - sundym was not standard on many cars in 1973 - and the car also boasts a passenger door mirror, just to balance look from the front.

Interior:

The interior is in extremely good condition, there are no chips to the seat frames, central console air vent or the handbrake arm which show she has been delicately used and the interior woodwork is all in fine order and great condition.

Similarly, the engine bay is a complete joy to behold and probably presents almost as new when it rolled off the production line in November 1972.

Engine:

The car has an uprated exhaust for the growl emanating from the single rear pipe is somewhat deeper than that to which we are accustomed - performance too is better than normal with the uprated exhaust it is a superb example that just outperforms the norm.

Transmission:

The gearing is much better than standard for she has a period correct upgrade to the Getrag dog-leg 5-speed transmission giving more spirited acceleration and slightly higher gearing for less frenetic cruising.

Chassis:

The car's chassis is in great condition and the suspension is an excellent blend of comfort and sport as expected for a car of this era. The steering gives a fantastic connection and gives great feedback to the driver as well making the experience very intuitive. For a car of this age, handles and feels much better than some sports cars half its age. The brakes are old in comparison to modern performance but are up to standard with new callipers and pipework as required, which gives great confidence on the road. The car is a joy to drive and use on the roads making every Sunday drive, a truly enjoyable one.

History:

The car also boasts a wonderfully comprehensive history with many old invoices and receipts dating back to the 80s, and many magazines featuring not just any 3.0 CSL but this specific CSL. One magazine is dated January 1973, a Motor Sport magazine featuring the brand new BMW 3.0 CSL; describing an “adequate road test of the BMW 3.0 CSL” Over 4 days and across 10 European capitals. EU

The history folder has many bills and MoTs going back to 1986 and although we cannot trace the mileage further the subsequent usage confirms that in the last 30 years, 10.000 miles have been driven (speedometer reading now 108.500 miles)

There is a plethora of period road tests and CSL articles in the folder, an original BMW range booklet and also the full brochure, dealer listing and the almost impossible-to-obtain handbook in almost new condition.