1972 BMW e9 3.0 CSL

Having successfully campaigned various iterations of the 1800, 2000 and 2002, BMW decided to take on Ford in the top class of international touring car racing.

The E9-based 3.0 CSL was their weapon of choice. It became the first product to emerge from BMW’s new Motorsport department and went down as one of the 1970’s most iconic competition cars.

To qualify for the Group 2 category, a production run of 1000 Coupe Sport Leichts was required, dutifully BMW created by all cars by November 1972 before the time of homologation within the anticipation of the 1973 racing season.

In addition to the bare bones original variant produced up to July 1972 (which had used a carb-fed 2985cc motor and was only available in left-hand drive), BMW produced a second batch of CSLs with 3003cc fuel-injected motors. Notably, this later iteration was also offered in right-hand drive of which 500 examples were built, most of which headed to the UK.

The majority of these right-hand drive CSLs were configured with the optional City Pack which re-instated luxury. Power steering, a heated rear window, additional sound deadening, velour carpet, a normal locking bonnet and boot lid and a full toolkit. Bumpers were also part of the City Pack as was a fully undersealed chassis, a laminated windscreen, proper side glass, CS/CSi suspension settings and anti-roll bars. Most examples also came with bonnets, doors and boot lids fabricated from steel instead of aluminium.

Available here is a 1972 BMW 3.0 CSL offered in its original Polaris Silver over Black interior trim. An original right-hand drive UK delivery vehicle that has been on Australia shores circa the late-70s to early 80s. 

In storage and deregistered for several years the cars motor was recommissioned in the 1990s and then lay dormant for sometime afterwards until 2019 where its current owner found it as a complete vehicle and completely rust free. The car was then subjected to a full and exceptionally high standard restoration, finished only years ago. 

Today it is superb inside and out and is one of the best restorations of an E9 CSL we've come across. The paintwork is crystal clear, the interior trim feels as new and one look under the bonnet would get any oil-blooded enthusiast excited.

To drive it is sublime, after a bit of the typical cold start stuttering the engine purrs to life with that iconic BMW inline six-cylinder crispy sound. The gearbox feels so direct and mechanical and the chassis talks to you without saying a word throughout every turn. 

An incredibly rare blue-chip collectible German classic, this turn-key example will not disappoint. Contact our team today.