1973 was a landmark year for BMW, for not only did the German manufacturer power Jean-Pierre Jarier to the European Formula 2 Championship, it also captured the European Touring Car Championship using one of the most iconic racing 'saloons' of modern times: the 3.0 CSL, known popularly as the 'Batmobile'. BMW had returned to six-cylinder power for its range-topping models in 1968 with the launch of the 2500 and 2800 saloons. Also new was the 3.0 CSL's forerunner, the 2800CS coupé, though the latter's running gear had more in common with the existing, four-cylinder 2000C/CS. The introduction of the similarly styled 3.0-litre CS in 1971 brought with it numerous improvements, including four-wheel ventilated disc brakes, and with 180bhp on tap the model was good for around 130mph. For racing purposes there was the lightweight 3.0 CSL. Visually indistinguishable from its more 'run of the mill' relations, the CS and CSi, the 3.0 CSL (Coupé Sport Leicht) was creative homologation at its best. The BMW engineers' solution to the marketing department's requirements was to develop a limited production run 'homologation special' to meet the constrictive framework of the Group 2 racing class regulations. By removing the trim; using thinner steel for the main bodyshell; aluminium alloy for the doors, bonnet and boot lid; and Perspex for the side windows a valuable 300lbs (136kgs) in weight was saved – 'Leicht' indeed. Homologated initially with a fractionally over-bored (3,003cc) engine (enabling it to compete in the over 3-litre class) the 3.0 CSL came with 206bhp for road use and well over 300 horsepower for the track. In 1973 the engine's stroke was increased, upping capacity to 3,153cc (nominally 3.2 litres) and from mid-season onwards the racing CSLs used the so-called 'Batmobile' aerodynamic package, developed at Stuttgart University, which consisted of a front chin spoiler, large rear wing and various other devices. Illegal for road use in Germany, the wings were left in the boot for final installation after purchase. Thus equipped the Batmobiles were able to defeat the previously all-conquering Ford Capri RS2600s, Toine Hezemans capturing the 1973 European Touring Car Championship for BMW at the wheel of a 3.0 CSL and co-driving one to a class win at Le Mans that year with Dieter Quester. Ford bounced back in 1974 but from 1975 onwards the BMW 'Batmobiles' won five consecutive European Touring Car Championships, a quite unprecedented run of success. This left-hand drive BMW 3.0 CSL was delivered new to BMW Italia SpA in June 1973 before going to the USA, from whence it returned to Europe in 2005. The car currently displays a genuine total of 61,650 kilometres on the odometer and benefits from partial restoration, the engine having been rebuilt 8,000 kilometres ago and the transmission overhauled 3,000 kilometres ago. Finished in black with matching interior, the latter described as 'perfect', the car is offered with sundry restoration invoices, BMW Classic certificate, Achilli Motors' certificate 'Delega a circolare' (26/06/1979), State of California Certificate of Title, FIA Passport, French Carte Grise and Contrôle Technique. A Getrag five-speed gearbox with 'autobloc' is the only notified deviation from factory specification. With only 1,039 CSLs produced between 1973 and 1975 compared to over 19,000 standard CS/CSi models, these 'specials' will always be relatively rare and today this ultimate BMW coupé is highly sought after. Das Jahr 1973 war von grosser Bedeutung für BMW: Jean-Pierre Jarrier gewann die Formel 2 Meisterschaft mit einem BMW-Motor, und gleichzeitig wurde die Europäische Tourenwagen Meisterschaft mit einem der 'profiliertesten' Fahrzeuge gewonnen – dem 'Batmobil' mit dem charakteristischen Heckspoiler. Äusserlich von seinen 'gewöhnlicheren' Brüdern, dem CS und dem CSi nicht zu unterscheiden, war der CSL 'kreative Homologation' in Vollendung. Durch die Verwendung dünnerer Stahlbleche und von Aluminium für Türen, K
1973 was a landmark year for BMW, for not only did the German manufacturer power Jean-Pierre Jarier to the European Formula 2 Championship, it also captured the European Touring Car Championship using one of the most iconic racing 'saloons' of modern times: the 3.0 CSL, known popularly as the 'Batmobile'. BMW had returned to six-cylinder power for its range-topping models in 1968 with the launch of the 2500 and 2800 saloons. Also new was the 3.0 CSL's forerunner, the 2800CS coupé, though the latter's running gear had more in common with the existing, four-cylinder 2000C/CS. The introduction of the similarly styled 3.0-litre CS in 1971 brought with it numerous improvements, including four-wheel ventilated disc brakes, and with 180bhp on tap the model was good for around 130mph. For racing purposes there was the lightweight 3.0 CSL. Visually indistinguishable from its more 'run of the mill' relations, the CS and CSi, the 3.0 CSL (Coupé Sport Leicht) was creative homologation at its best. The BMW engineers' solution to the marketing department's requirements was to develop a limited production run 'homologation special' to meet the constrictive framework of the Group 2 racing class regulations. By removing the trim; using thinner steel for the main bodyshell; aluminium alloy for the doors, bonnet and boot lid; and Perspex for the side windows a valuable 300lbs (136kgs) in weight was saved – 'Leicht' indeed. Homologated initially with a fractionally over-bored (3,003cc) engine (enabling it to compete in the over 3-litre class) the 3.0 CSL came with 206bhp for road use and well over 300 horsepower for the track. In 1973 the engine's stroke was increased, upping capacity to 3,153cc (nominally 3.2 litres) and from mid-season onwards the racing CSLs used the so-called 'Batmobile' aerodynamic package, developed at Stuttgart University, which consisted of a front chin spoiler, large rear wing and various other devices. Illegal for road use in Germany, the wings were left in the boot for final installation after purchase. Thus equipped the Batmobiles were able to defeat the previously all-conquering Ford Capri RS2600s, Toine Hezemans capturing the 1973 European Touring Car Championship for BMW at the wheel of a 3.0 CSL and co-driving one to a class win at Le Mans that year with Dieter Quester. Ford bounced back in 1974 but from 1975 onwards the BMW 'Batmobiles' won five consecutive European Touring Car Championships, a quite unprecedented run of success. This left-hand drive BMW 3.0 CSL was delivered new to BMW Italia SpA in June 1973 before going to the USA, from whence it returned to Europe in 2005. The car currently displays a genuine total of 61,650 kilometres on the odometer and benefits from partial restoration, the engine having been rebuilt 8,000 kilometres ago and the transmission overhauled 3,000 kilometres ago. Finished in black with matching interior, the latter described as 'perfect', the car is offered with sundry restoration invoices, BMW Classic certificate, Achilli Motors' certificate 'Delega a circolare' (26/06/1979), State of California Certificate of Title, FIA Passport, French Carte Grise and Contrôle Technique. A Getrag five-speed gearbox with 'autobloc' is the only notified deviation from factory specification. With only 1,039 CSLs produced between 1973 and 1975 compared to over 19,000 standard CS/CSi models, these 'specials' will always be relatively rare and today this ultimate BMW coupé is highly sought after. Das Jahr 1973 war von grosser Bedeutung für BMW: Jean-Pierre Jarrier gewann die Formel 2 Meisterschaft mit einem BMW-Motor, und gleichzeitig wurde die Europäische Tourenwagen Meisterschaft mit einem der 'profiliertesten' Fahrzeuge gewonnen – dem 'Batmobil' mit dem charakteristischen Heckspoiler. Äusserlich von seinen 'gewöhnlicheren' Brüdern, dem CS und dem CSi nicht zu unterscheiden, war der CSL 'kreative Homologation' in Vollendung. Durch die Verwendung dünnerer Stahlbleche und von Aluminium für Türen, K
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