Lot 61: BMW 3.0 CSL Race Car

By the late 1960s, a resurgent BMW had become the dominant force in European Saloon Car racing. Anxious to raise its profile still further but lacking funds, the Munich firm encouraged the efforts of outside tuners such as Alpina and Schnitzer to turn its flagship Coupe into a contender for Group 2 European Touring Car honours. By the end of 1970, the Karmann built two-door had achieved some notable results but was still beset by a sizeable weight handicap when compared to the rival Ford Capri. To redress the balance, BMW formed a special in-house company (BMW Motorpsort GmbH) and charged it with creating a lightweight homologation version of the 3.0CS. Shorn of over 300lbs, the resultant CSL (Coupe Sport Leicht) utilised thinner-gauge steel, bespoke aluminium panels (doors, bonnet, boot), slimmer glass and reduced sound-proofing material. Equipped with all-round independent suspension (McPherson strut front / semi-trailing arm rear), disc brakes and responsive steering, it was wonderfully balanced. Continually honed, the defection in spring 1972 of key Blue Oval racing personnel Jochen Neerpasch (ex-Porsche Works driver) and Martin Braungart (ex-Mercedes Rally co-driver) brought added impetus. Thus, in August of that year the road-going CSL gained Bosch D-Jetronic fuel injection for its enlarged 3003cc OHC straight-six engine. Said to develop some 206bhp and 200lbft of torque, this supremely flexible unit was mated to a five-speed Getrag manual gearbox. Reputedly capable of 146mph and 0-60mph in 6.9 seconds, the showroom CSL proved a supremely effective platform on which to experiment. Driven in anger by the likes of Hans Stuck, Niki Lauda, Derek Bell, Brian Muir, Henri Pescarolo, Bob Wollek and Brian Redman, the legendary BMW racer continued winning through its various Group 2, Group 5 and World Championship of Makes guises. Crowned European Touring Car Champion no less than five times between 1973 and 1979, its podium glories were reflected by each of the 1,039 homologation CSiLs believed built (500 RHD, 539 LHD). Beginning life as a left-hand drive road car this particular example was imported by noted CSL 'Batmobile' exponent the late Tim Busby with a view to converting it into a Group 2 racer. Purchased from his estate by Chris Randall of Zaprace - who had also been responsible for stripping the car down to a bare metal shell - the BMW entered the current ownership thereafter. Commissioned by the vendor to reassemble, restore and convert the coupe to historic Group 2 specification, Marvin Humphries of Tech-Speed Motorsport finished work in May 2008. Post completion, the BMW is reported to have undergone "two 'shake down' test days but not to have been raced". Granted a Historic Technical Passport by the MSA last year (No: GB 6822), the be-winged circuit racer boasts an impressive specification: Engine: 3498cc (bore 94mm x stroke 84mm) SOHC straight-six equipped with Lumenition Optical ignition and Kugelfischer mechanical fuel injection. Assembled / prepared by Lester Owen (dyno sheets available) Gearbox: Getrag Type 265 five-speed manual gearbox Front Suspension: Independent McPherson Strut and track control arm (adjustable via uniball joint on inner end of the latter). Rear Suspension: Independent coil-sprung trailing arm Final Drive: 3.25:1 plus ZF limited slip differential Brakes: Four-wheel ventilated discs, 304mm front and 272mm rear (gripped by 4-pot and 2-pot callipers respectively). Wheels: Alloy fronts (16-in x 11-in) and alloy rears (16-in x 12-in)