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1972 BMW E9 3.0 CSL

“Introduced in May 1972, the 3.0 CSL was a homologation special built to make the car eligible for racing in the European Touring Car Championship. 1,265 were built.

The “L” in the designation meant leicht (light), unlike in other BMW designations, where it meant lang (long). The lightness was achieved by using thinner steel to build the unit body, deleting the trim and soundproofing, using aluminium alloy doors, bonnet, and boot lid, and using Perspex side windows. The five hundred 3.0 CSLs exported to the United Kingdom were not quite as light as the others, as the importer had insisted on retaining the soundproofing, electric windows, and stock E9 bumpers on these cars.[9][11] The CSL was never sold in the United States.

Initially using the same engine as the 3.0 CS, the 3.0 CSL was given a very small increase in displacement to 3,003 cc (183.3 cu in) by increasing the engine bore by one quarter of a millimetre. This was done in August 1972 to allow the CSL to be raced in the “over three litre” racing category, allowing for some increase in displacement in the racing cars. In 1973, the engine in the 3.0 CSL was given another, more substantial increase in displacement to 3,153 cc (192.4 cu in) by increasing the stroke to 84 mm (3.3 in). This final version of the 3.0 CSL was homologated in July 1973 along with an aerodynamic package including a large air dam, short fins running along the front fenders, a spoiler above and behind the trailing edge of the roof, and a tall rear wing. The rear wings were not installed at the factory, but were left in the boot for installation after purchase. This was done because the wings were illegal for use on German roads. The full aero package earned the racing CSLs the nickname “Batmobile“.

In 1973, Toine Hezemans won the European Touring Car Championship in a 3.0 CSL and co-drove a 3.0 CSL with Dieter Quester to a class victory at Le Mans. Hezemans and Quester had driven to second place at the 1973 German Touring Car Grand Prix at Nürburgring, being beaten only by Chris Amon and Hans-Joachim Stuck in another 3.0 CSL. 3.0 CSLs would win the European Touring Car Championship again in every year from 1975 to 1979.”

More about the BMW E9 on Wikipedia: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/BMW_E9

This very rare RHD example is coming up for sale at Historics Auction November 25th 2017:

“The European Touring Car Championship of the early 1970’s encouraged performance manufacturers to build some rare and exciting homologation specials, notably Ford with their Escort and Capri derivatives and BMW with their CSL (Coupe Sport Leicht). The BMW 3.0 CSL was indeed light – having thinner steel panels, an aluminium bonnet, boot and doors combined with a reduced trim that in total saved a valuable 300lbs in weight. The power was derived from an enlarged 3003cc straight six engine, this increase in capacity enabled entry into the over three litre racing categories. Whilst providing around 200bhp and with the reduced weight, the CSL was soon proving itself as one of the most sought after sports cars of the era.

We are delighted to offer one of the 500 CSL’s that were sold to the UK market. This righthand drive example is one of those original few that belonged to a regional director of the BMW Car Club in the 1980s. The CSL was then purchased by North Oxford Garage, a leading BMW dealer, whereby it underwent a partial restoration using only genuine BMW parts. This is supported by accompanying invoices within the history file and totaled in the region of £28,000. The CSL remained in their collection until April 2012 when it was acquired by a retired BMW director. Since that acquisition in 2012, it has been lovingly cared for with great attention being paid to the BMW’s detail. For example, the interior woodwork has been repaired and re-veneered and the trim sympathetically repaired in areas using the correct materials, as well as many others, resulting with this CSL being one of the best available.

Presented in the original colour of Polaris Silver with contrasting black original Scheel seats, this example is hard to fault in any area and, we think you will agree, looks stunning. The Blaupunkt radio and the rare trim items, often missing on these models, are present. On the road, this BMW belies her 45 years and, according to our tester, is a flying machine with a tight chassis and braking system to match, all making high speed cruising effortless. The old MoT test certificates and service information support the mileage and we are advised that this CSL will arrive at the sale with an MoT test certificate, valid until August 2018, the afore mentioned history file, handbook and service books as well as a fresh mechanics service.

With these lightweight homologation specials being extremely sought after and prices reflecting this, the advice will always be, buy the best. We believe this is one of those special motorcars, in the right condition and perhaps, one you have always promised yourself?”

https://www.historics.co.uk/buying/auctions/2017-11-25/cars/ref-97-1972-bmw-30-csl/

#BMW #German #straight6 #Historics

The 3.0 CSL was a homologation special built to make the car eligible for racing in the European Touring Car Championship. 1,265 were built.

The “L” in the designation meant leicht (light), unlike in other BMW designations, where it meant lang (long). The lightness was achieved by using thinner steel to build the unit body, deleting the trim and soundproofing, using aluminium alloy doors, bonnet, and boot lid, and using Perspex side windows. The five hundred 3.0 CSLs exported to the United Kingdom were not quite as light as the others, as the importer had insisted on retaining the soundproofing, electric windows, and stock E9 bumpers on these cars.[9][11] The CSL was never sold in the United States.

Initially using the same engine as the 3.0 CS, the 3.0 CSL was given a very small increase in displacement to 3,003 cc (183.3 cu in) by increasing the engine bore by one quarter of a millimetre. This was done in August 1972 to allow the CSL to be raced in the “over three litre” racing category, allowing for some increase in displacement in the racing cars. In 1973, the engine in the 3.0 CSL was given another, more substantial increase in displacement to 3,153 cc (192.4 cu in) by increasing the stroke to 84 mm (3.3 in). This final version of the 3.0 CSL was homologated in July 1973 along with an aerodynamic package including a large air dam, short fins running along the front fenders, a spoiler above and behind the trailing edge of the roof, and a tall rear wing. The rear wings were not installed at the factory, but were left in the boot for installation after purchase. This was done because the wings were illegal for use on German roads. The full aero package earned the racing CSLs the nickname “Batmobile“.

In 1973, Toine Hezemans won the European Touring Car Championship in a 3.0 CSL and co-drove a 3.0 CSL with Dieter Quester to a class victory at Le Mans. Hezemans and Quester had driven to second place at the 1973 German Touring Car Grand Prix at Nürburgring, being beaten only by Chris Amon and Hans-Joachim Stuck in another 3.0 CSL. 3.0 CSLs would win the European Touring Car Championship again in every year from 1975 to 1979.”

More about the BMW E9 on Wikipedia: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/BMW_E9

This very rare RHD example is coming up for sale at Historics Auction November 25th 2017:

“The European Touring Car Championship of the early 1970’s encouraged performance manufacturers to build some rare and exciting homologation specials, notably Ford with their Escort and Capri derivatives and BMW with their CSL (Coupe Sport Leicht). The BMW 3.0 CSL was indeed light – having thinner steel panels, an aluminium bonnet, boot and doors combined with a reduced trim that in total saved a valuable 300lbs in weight. The power was derived from an enlarged 3003cc straight six engine, this increase in capacity enabled entry into the over three litre racing categories. Whilst providing around 200bhp and with the reduced weight, the CSL was soon proving itself as one of the most sought after sports cars of the era.

We are delighted to offer one of the 500 CSL’s that were sold to the UK market. This righthand drive example is one of those original few that belonged to a regional director of the BMW Car Club in the 1980s. The CSL was then purchased by North Oxford Garage, a leading BMW dealer, whereby it underwent a partial restoration using only genuine BMW parts. This is supported by accompanying invoices within the history file and totaled in the region of £28,000. The CSL remained in their collection until April 2012 when it was acquired by a retired BMW director. Since that acquisition in 2012, it has been lovingly cared for with great attention being paid to the BMW’s detail. For example, the interior woodwork has been repaired and re-veneered and the trim sympathetically repaired in areas using the correct materials, as well as many others, resulting with this CSL being one of the best available.

Presented in the original colour of Polaris Silver with contrasting black original Scheel seats, this example is hard to fault in any area and, we think you will agree, looks stunning. The Blaupunkt radio and the rare trim items, often missing on these models, are present. On the road, this BMW belies her 45 years and, according to our tester, is a flying machine with a tight chassis and braking system to match, all making high speed cruising effortless. The old MoT test certificates and service information support the mileage and we are advised that this CSL will arrive at the sale with an MoT test certificate, valid until August 2018, the afore mentioned history file, handbook and service books as well as a fresh mechanics service.

With these lightweight homologation specials being extremely sought after and prices reflecting this, the advice will always be, buy the best. We believe this is one of those special motorcars, in the right condition and perhaps, one you have always promised yourself?”

https://www.historics.co.uk/buying/auctions/2017-11-25/cars/ref-97-1972-bmw-30-csl/

#BMW #German #straight6 #Historics

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