MOTOR CARS | 221
4Homologated 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.
The majority of the 500 3.0 CSLs exported to the UK retained
the soundproofing, electric windows and stock bumpers at the
importer’s insistence – the so called ‘City Package’. All 500 cars
had been completed by December 1972. Regulations at the time
required all duties to be paid on date of import so the cars were
only imported by BMW Concessionaires once a customer had
confirmed a contract to purchase. This car was built in 1972 and
therefore qualifies for the Historic vehicle taxation class.
‘VLN 71M’ was first registered in May 1974 and was delivered
finished in Chamonix White complete with the optional City Package
to one C R Page of London NW3. The BMW has had only seven
further owners including the English aristocrat, Charles James
Spencer-Churchill, the Marquess of Blandford. Accompanying the
CSL is a very comprehensive file containing the original handbook
pack; copies of registration documents from new; BMW Classic
Certificate; expired MoTs dating back to 1982; an original road test
report from 1973; and a 2012 road test feature in Classic Cars. The
file also contains various maintenance invoices dating back to 1980,
including one for engine blueprinting by Tom Walkinshaw Racing Ltd.MoT’d to August 2015, the CSL is presented in generally superb
order, benefiting from a recent service by a leading historic BMW
specialist and installation of a security Tracker and classic audio
upgrade. The car has also been upgraded with a five-speed gearbox.With only 1,039 CSLs produced up to 1975 compared with over
19,000 standard CS/CSi models, these ‘specials’ will always be
relatively rare and today this ultimate BMW coupé is highly sought
after. Currently displaying a total of only 89,995 miles on the
odometer, ‘VLN 712M’ represents a rare opportunity to acquire a
right-hand drive example of one of these limited edition classics.
£55,000 - 65,000
€69,000 - 81,000