.jpg?w=1)
Details
Three owners from new
1973 BMW 3.0 CSL "BATMOBILE"
Chassis No. 2275512
Engine No. 2275512
Engine: six cylinder, in-line, two valves per cylinder, Bosch fuel injection, 3,153cc, 206bhp at 5,600rpm; Gearbox: currently close-ratio five speed manual (original four speed manual included); Suspension: independent with anti-roll bars, coil springs and telescopic dampers to the front, semi-trailing arms and coil springs to the rear; Brakes: discs all round. Left hand drive.
It is amazing to think that one of today's most desirable and respected car manufacturers was on the brink of bankruptcy in the late 1950s, nearly leading to its consumption by Mercedes-Benz. Indeed, had it not have been for the intervention of financiers Herbert and Harald Quandt, BMW may not have been able to achieve the engineering prowess with which its fine reputation has become synonymous. Following this cash injection, BMW pitched themselves strongly at the middle-class sector of the market and unveiled the 1500 and the elegant 3200CS coupe models at the 1961 Frankfurt Motor Show. Both cars were very well received, and paved the way for the ultra-successful future of the company.
In 1968 the 2500 saloon was launched, giving birth to the string of elegant coupes that peaked with the CSL "Batmobile". The first such model was the 2800CS which, with independent suspension, taught chassis and a 170bhp powerplant, made an attractive candidate for circuit racing. Whilst the factory did not take the CS to the track at first, renowned performance tuning company Alpina did (among others including Schnitzer), and the first major victory came in 1970 with a win at the prestigious Spa 24 hour race in Belgium. Ford's Capri was still dominating on the track, but in 1971 BMW decided to get seriously involved and introduced the CSL (coupe sports lightweight) derivative.
In drastic efforts to homologate a more competitive racing car the monocoque was formed from thinner gauge steel and aluminum was employed to skin the bonnet and boot. An array of luxuries were deleted such as the front bumper (the rear bumper was now formed of polyester), power steering, electric windows, thick carpets, comfortable seats and sound deadening; in total 250kgs were shaved off the curb weight. Despite this Ford managed to keep the Capri ahead of the CSL on the track, thanks largely to the supreme efforts of engineers Jochen Neerspach and Martin Braungart. However, in 1972 BMW adopted the attitude that 'to beat them you have to buy them' and thus Neerspach and Braungart joined BMW, becoming catalysts for the formation of BMW Motorsport Gmbh. By the end of the year, thanks to exploiting various loopholes in the regulations, the CSL became a winner - at least in one round of the German Saloon Car Championship.
BMW had not yet won a European Championship round though, and so one of the most outrageously brutal road-going homologation specials was conceived in order to do so. To improve downforce the front gained a deep air dam, the fenders grew pronounced air guides and a boot lid lip spoiler was added. Though not able to be supplied fitted by the dealers in Germany, the dynamic beast also came with a roof mounted deflector and a huge rear wing (so large and heavy that BMW had to revert back to a steel boot panel to support the weight of it under load!). Whilst still badged as a 3.0 CSL, the engine's stroke was increased, raising the engine capacity to 3,153cc. The menacingly staunch profile of the new CSL soon earned the nickname "Batmobile" in direct comparison to the Caped Crusader's own mode of transport. Only 110 such road-going examples were produced in this 3.2 litre form in 1973, with a mere 57 more cars leaving the factory until production ceased in December of 1975.
The homologated improvements allowed BMW to beat Ford in style during the 1973 European Touring Car Championship, and made for some of the best racing battles of the era. At the end of the 1974 season, BMW and Ford both withdrew from the series (largely due to the effects of the oil crisis in the Gulf), but in private hands the "Batmobile" remained a winner. The factory did return to racing a couple of years later, entering CSLs in Group 5, but the already generous allowances did not require for road-going derivatives to be built. It should also be noted, however, that one of the final works of the much-celebrated artist and sculptor, Alexander Calder (1898-1976), was to livery one of the factory race cars to his design; it is of course one of the famous BMW 'art cars' and is retained to this day by the BMW factory.
In total just 167 "Batmobiles" were ever built, of which not more than a third are believed to survive. Given such rarity, and the sheer importance to BMW's racing tradition in being the first "M" Motorsport BMW, we are immensely proud to offer this beautiful example finished in Chamonix white (the only other option available for the initial 110 cars being Polaris silver). We are informed by the vendor, who has known the car for the past 20 years, that it has benefited from a mere three owners since new. It has been confirmed by BMW Mobile Tradition as having been finished on September 10th 1973 and delivered two weeks later to BMW dealer Autohaus Vincentz in Kempen, Germany. Acquired by Maurice Gierst, owner of a BMW dealership in Brussels in the early 1980s, the car was treated to a comprehensive yet highly sympathetic restoration, which included a full engine rebuild with new Mahle pistons and a lead free cylinder head conversion. Once completed it remained in the showroom on display and was only rarely taken out.
The car was purchased by the current enthusiast owner in 2003, since when it has been mechanically sorted by the replacement of all minor worn parts (mainly rubber items), detailing of ancillaries and a flush out and replacement of all fluids. Subtle modifications include the addition of 3 VDO instruments, a 'Halda' Twinmaster, period 'Autoflug' seatbelts, a full length stainless steel exhaust system to period pattern with competition manifold, adjustable Bilstein shock absorbers, upper and lower anti-sway bars and a BMW Gertrag 5-speed close-ratio gearbox (the original 4-speed comes with the car). The ('Batmobile'-only) bucket seats were reupholstered in the correct Scheel fabric and the rare correct steering wheel recovered in new leather. Upon completion it was entered in both the 2004 and 2005 editions of the 'Tour Auto', which it completed without missing a beat, before going on to take Best in Class at the 2005 International Concours d'Elégance at Paleis Het Loo in Holland (a remarkable result considering that the car can be referred to as a 'strong driver'). Featured in the article 'Sparring Partners' in Octane magazine of October 2005, this 82nd car produced out of a mere 110 comes with a comprehensive file that includes an FIA Historic Regularity H class pass, original sales brochure, photographs and invoices.
Often mimicked by standard CSLs with bolt-on visuals, the BMW CSL "Batmobile", the first of the now legendary BMW Motorsport creations and the ultimate expression of one of the finest "Ultimate Driving Machines" ever produced, is an archetypal vehicle deserved of a place in any collection. The difficulty of finding a rare matching-numbers car in such outstanding condition, with all aspects either restored or preserved, makes this an inviting prospect indeed.
1973 BMW 3.0 CSL "BATMOBILE"
Chassis No. 2275512
Engine No. 2275512
Engine: six cylinder, in-line, two valves per cylinder, Bosch fuel injection, 3,153cc, 206bhp at 5,600rpm; Gearbox: currently close-ratio five speed manual (original four speed manual included); Suspension: independent with anti-roll bars, coil springs and telescopic dampers to the front, semi-trailing arms and coil springs to the rear; Brakes: discs all round. Left hand drive.
It is amazing to think that one of today's most desirable and respected car manufacturers was on the brink of bankruptcy in the late 1950s, nearly leading to its consumption by Mercedes-Benz. Indeed, had it not have been for the intervention of financiers Herbert and Harald Quandt, BMW may not have been able to achieve the engineering prowess with which its fine reputation has become synonymous. Following this cash injection, BMW pitched themselves strongly at the middle-class sector of the market and unveiled the 1500 and the elegant 3200CS coupe models at the 1961 Frankfurt Motor Show. Both cars were very well received, and paved the way for the ultra-successful future of the company.
In 1968 the 2500 saloon was launched, giving birth to the string of elegant coupes that peaked with the CSL "Batmobile". The first such model was the 2800CS which, with independent suspension, taught chassis and a 170bhp powerplant, made an attractive candidate for circuit racing. Whilst the factory did not take the CS to the track at first, renowned performance tuning company Alpina did (among others including Schnitzer), and the first major victory came in 1970 with a win at the prestigious Spa 24 hour race in Belgium. Ford's Capri was still dominating on the track, but in 1971 BMW decided to get seriously involved and introduced the CSL (coupe sports lightweight) derivative.
In drastic efforts to homologate a more competitive racing car the monocoque was formed from thinner gauge steel and aluminum was employed to skin the bonnet and boot. An array of luxuries were deleted such as the front bumper (the rear bumper was now formed of polyester), power steering, electric windows, thick carpets, comfortable seats and sound deadening; in total 250kgs were shaved off the curb weight. Despite this Ford managed to keep the Capri ahead of the CSL on the track, thanks largely to the supreme efforts of engineers Jochen Neerspach and Martin Braungart. However, in 1972 BMW adopted the attitude that 'to beat them you have to buy them' and thus Neerspach and Braungart joined BMW, becoming catalysts for the formation of BMW Motorsport Gmbh. By the end of the year, thanks to exploiting various loopholes in the regulations, the CSL became a winner - at least in one round of the German Saloon Car Championship.
BMW had not yet won a European Championship round though, and so one of the most outrageously brutal road-going homologation specials was conceived in order to do so. To improve downforce the front gained a deep air dam, the fenders grew pronounced air guides and a boot lid lip spoiler was added. Though not able to be supplied fitted by the dealers in Germany, the dynamic beast also came with a roof mounted deflector and a huge rear wing (so large and heavy that BMW had to revert back to a steel boot panel to support the weight of it under load!). Whilst still badged as a 3.0 CSL, the engine's stroke was increased, raising the engine capacity to 3,153cc. The menacingly staunch profile of the new CSL soon earned the nickname "Batmobile" in direct comparison to the Caped Crusader's own mode of transport. Only 110 such road-going examples were produced in this 3.2 litre form in 1973, with a mere 57 more cars leaving the factory until production ceased in December of 1975.
The homologated improvements allowed BMW to beat Ford in style during the 1973 European Touring Car Championship, and made for some of the best racing battles of the era. At the end of the 1974 season, BMW and Ford both withdrew from the series (largely due to the effects of the oil crisis in the Gulf), but in private hands the "Batmobile" remained a winner. The factory did return to racing a couple of years later, entering CSLs in Group 5, but the already generous allowances did not require for road-going derivatives to be built. It should also be noted, however, that one of the final works of the much-celebrated artist and sculptor, Alexander Calder (1898-1976), was to livery one of the factory race cars to his design; it is of course one of the famous BMW 'art cars' and is retained to this day by the BMW factory.
In total just 167 "Batmobiles" were ever built, of which not more than a third are believed to survive. Given such rarity, and the sheer importance to BMW's racing tradition in being the first "M" Motorsport BMW, we are immensely proud to offer this beautiful example finished in Chamonix white (the only other option available for the initial 110 cars being Polaris silver). We are informed by the vendor, who has known the car for the past 20 years, that it has benefited from a mere three owners since new. It has been confirmed by BMW Mobile Tradition as having been finished on September 10th 1973 and delivered two weeks later to BMW dealer Autohaus Vincentz in Kempen, Germany. Acquired by Maurice Gierst, owner of a BMW dealership in Brussels in the early 1980s, the car was treated to a comprehensive yet highly sympathetic restoration, which included a full engine rebuild with new Mahle pistons and a lead free cylinder head conversion. Once completed it remained in the showroom on display and was only rarely taken out.
The car was purchased by the current enthusiast owner in 2003, since when it has been mechanically sorted by the replacement of all minor worn parts (mainly rubber items), detailing of ancillaries and a flush out and replacement of all fluids. Subtle modifications include the addition of 3 VDO instruments, a 'Halda' Twinmaster, period 'Autoflug' seatbelts, a full length stainless steel exhaust system to period pattern with competition manifold, adjustable Bilstein shock absorbers, upper and lower anti-sway bars and a BMW Gertrag 5-speed close-ratio gearbox (the original 4-speed comes with the car). The ('Batmobile'-only) bucket seats were reupholstered in the correct Scheel fabric and the rare correct steering wheel recovered in new leather. Upon completion it was entered in both the 2004 and 2005 editions of the 'Tour Auto', which it completed without missing a beat, before going on to take Best in Class at the 2005 International Concours d'Elégance at Paleis Het Loo in Holland (a remarkable result considering that the car can be referred to as a 'strong driver'). Featured in the article 'Sparring Partners' in Octane magazine of October 2005, this 82nd car produced out of a mere 110 comes with a comprehensive file that includes an FIA Historic Regularity H class pass, original sales brochure, photographs and invoices.
Often mimicked by standard CSLs with bolt-on visuals, the BMW CSL "Batmobile", the first of the now legendary BMW Motorsport creations and the ultimate expression of one of the finest "Ultimate Driving Machines" ever produced, is an archetypal vehicle deserved of a place in any collection. The difficulty of finding a rare matching-numbers car in such outstanding condition, with all aspects either restored or preserved, makes this an inviting prospect indeed.
Special notice
No VAT will be charged on the hammer price, but VAT at 15% will be added to the buyer's premium which is invoiced on a VAT inclusive basis.