1972 BMW 3.0 CSL

Lot details
Registration No: MCY 35L
Chassis No: 2285169
Mot Expiry: July 2016

- Subject of a restoration over the past two years

- Finished in Polaris Silver with Black Scheel sports interior

- RHD car fitted with Batmobile body kit and steel boot

The BMW 3.0 CSL - Coupe Sport Lightweight - was a special version of the six-cylinder BMW E9 pillarless coupe produced in lighter gauge steel with aluminium doors/bonnet/boot lid and chrome arch extensions to accommodate wider alloy wheels. Introduced in May 1972, 1000 were built to homologate the BMW Coupe for the Group 2 European Touring Car Championship where the E9 CS Coupes had suffered with a weight handicap against the dominant Ford Capris. BMW UK took 500 in RHD with most of standard CS coupe luxury equipment refitted. Mechanically these cars were almost identical to the fuel-injected CSi (which meant 200bhp and 140mph plus) but to take it into the over 3-litre class the engines were bored out slightly to 3003cc. Equipped with all-round independent suspension (McPherson strut front / semi-trailing arm rear), disc brakes and responsive steering, it was wonderfully balanced. Very expensive when new (several hundred pounds more than a 911 RS 2.7), CSLs are now the most highly coveted BMWs of the nineteen seventies with a fabulous competition record.

First registered in April 1973, this right hand drive CSL has been the subject of a two year restoration between 2013 and 2015 following a period of storage from 2008. Works undertaken include: bead blasting of the body with any repairs being carried out using BMW panels, rustproofing of the body using Dinitrol, a comprehensive engine overhaul by Corry Engineering, retrimming of the interior using new Scheel seat materials and new carpets, overhaul of the braking system including brake boosters, calipers and master cylinder, the fitment of new brake and fuel lines, all new Bilstein suspension including bushes and powdercoating, refurbishment of the original 14 x 7 wheels, retrimming of the steering wheel in hand-stitched leather and refurbishment of the interior wood trim. Painted in Polaris Silver complimented by a Black interior with Scheel seats, the car is further enhanced by the fitment of a 'Batmobile' aero package including front spoiler, lightweight rear bumper, rear window hoop and rear spoiler mounted to the steel boot lid (a correct modification due to the spoiler's weight being found to distort the aluminium boot lids). Painstaking attention to detail has resulted in a truly evocative BMW sporting coupe of the 1970s that is certain to turn heads wherever it goes.

Currently displaying some 27,440 miles on its odometer, MCY 35L is accompanied by a Swansea V5 document, dating certificate letter from BMW, a list of owners from new together with invoices and receipts for the restoration work. This wonderful looking and highly collectable BMW is expected to possess a fresh MoT by the time of sale.