Lot 458: 1973 BMW 3.0 CSL 'Batmobile'

1973 BMW 3.0 CSL 'Batmobile'Registration Number RYJ 38M Chassis Number 2275 478After initial hesitation, the BMW factory in 1971 gave its support to build a factory racing team around the BMW 3.0 CS to pursue the European Touring car Championship. First priority was to reduce the weight of the cars dramatically as Ford and Alfa Romeo had run away with the championship in previous years and the old 2800 CS was in the hands of tuning firms Alpina and Schnitzer and was not at all competitive.After an initial run of 160 light weight cars (3.0 CSL) a proper homologation production of 1,000 cars was built between September 1972 and August 1973 with aluminium panels on bonnet, boot and door skins with no sound proofing and Alpina wheels to take around 400 pounds off the kerb weight. As these cars were very basic an optional 'town kit' was available that put most of the weight back on again in order to regain some comfort. As BMW had still won nothing by the middle of 1973 careful analysis of the rule book revealed a way of fitting an aerodynamics kit for which only 100 road cars had to be built. This way BMW created the famous 'Batmobile' of which a total of 165 cars in two series were made.Delivered to a BMW dealer in Essen, Germany, this particular car was manufactured in September 1973. RYJ 38M is one of the 110 series two CSL 'Batmobile' with factory evolutionary changes; a 3,153 cc engine, full spoiler and wing kit, (stripes will be fitted prior to the sale) full aluminium panels for boot, bonnet, door skins, sill covers, light weight screen and fixed rear windows. Other features include an original map reading light, black headlining and carpets, three spoke steering wheel and limited slip differential.RYJ 38M has a recorded five owners in Germany before the current owner brought the car over to the UK for a full bare metal restoration which took five years. The engine has been rebuilt and all chrome and trim where possible have been kept. The car is supplied with a V5 document, original owners manual, a copy of the German road licence and invoices for body work restoration and photographic records.Finished in Polaris silver paint work and a black interior this original 'Batmobile' is in very good condition and is supplied with a current MoT valid until September 2007.Estimate £48,000 - £58,000