Lot 230: BMW CSL 3.5L

The BMW 3.0 CSL will always be remembered as one of the most elegant and distinctive sports cars to emerge from the 1970's, but it was also one which provided the firm with competition success and hence publicity value beyond all expectations. After initial hesitation, the BMW factory in 1971 gave its support to a factory racing team built around the BMW 3.0 CS, its aim to win the European Touring car Championship. First priority was to dramatically reduce the weight of the cars, as Ford and Alfa Romeo had run away with the championship in previous years and the old 2800 CS, in the hands of tuning firms Alpina and Schnitzer, was not at all competitive. During this period one of the most exciting categories of racing was the European Touring Car Championship and the two principal contestants were Ford (Cologne) and BMW. BMW's main weapon was the CSL (Coupé Sport Leichtmetal), a lightweight version of the attractive 3.0 CS. However, by the middle of 1973 BMW had still won nothing and careful analysis of the rule book revealed a way of fitting an aerodynamic 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. Chassis 2210270 was originally built by the Faltz-Alpina team, the car was then sold to Benedens Tuning Company, and raced in the German and European Touring Car Championships in 1973, 1974 and 1975, at historic tracks such as Wunstorf, Zolder and the Nurburgring with the Josef Benedens Tuning Company and driver, Graziano Cancian. The car was then exported to the USA where it was upgraded to Group 5 specification and raced in the IMSA sportscar series for a number of years as a privateer entry with Peter Herke. There is a large amount of history and information on the car and the races it has competed in, including race results, period photographs, a number of spares and other technical information. The car has been fully restored with photographic restoration to Group 2 specification including rebuilt 3.5L engine with Kugelfischer Fuel Injection, Schnitzer Intake system, rebuilt gearbox, and differential, as well as fully restored bodyshell, suspension, new brake system, oil and water systems. Fitted with Bilstein adjustable dampers, diff cooler, and BBS wheels, as well as new fuel system and an Appendix K roll cage with certificates. Complete with current FIA and HTP papers and ready to go with all Group 5 updates and bodywork included. Eligible for the Masters Series and Le Mans Classic, as well as other historic races, this legendary car would make a valuable addition to any collection. Chassis 2210270 wurde ursprünglich von dem Faltz-Alpina Team aufgebaut und dann an Benedens Tuning verkauft, die es in der Deutschen und Europäischen Tourenwagen-Meisterschaften in den Jahren 1973, 1974 und 1975 eingesetzt haben. Daraufhin wurde dieser Wagen nach Amerika verkauft, wo er zu Gruppe 5 Spezifikation aufgebaut wurde und von Peter Herke in der IMSA-Serie eingesetzt wurde. Einen umfangreiche Dokumentation zu den Renneinsätzen dieses spektakulären BMWs liegt vor. Der CSL wurde inzwischen umfassend zu Gruppe 2-Spezifikation restauriert  so wurde der 3.5 Liter Motor mit der mechanischen Kugelfischer-Einspritzung ebenso überholt wie Getriebe und Differenzial, die Karrosserie sowie Fahrwerk, Bremssystem, und Wasser- und Ölkreislauf restauriert. Angeboten wird dieser fantastische Rennwagen mit aktuellen FIA und HTP-Papieren und kann sowohl an der Master-Series als auch der Le Mans Classic sowie zahlreichen anderen Rennen teilnehmen.