BMW’s champion of Europe

Perhaps the most recognisable BMW racing car of all time, the 3.0 CSL holds a unique position in the history of the Bavarian marque. After the appointment of Bob Lutz to the board of the company in 1972, he then acquired Ford’s Head of Motorsport Jochen Neerpasch to become BMW’s lead racing engineer within the newly formed BMW Motorsport. The group’s first project would be a works return to touring car racing with the code E9 chassis, and thus began the CSL project.

This moniker, Coupé Sport Leichtbau, represents the modifications made to the chassis in order to homologate the car for racing. Featuring the two-valve code M30 inline six-cylinder with fuel injection, the engine was modified over the course of production, eventually moving up to a slightly larger 3,003-cubic-centimetres displacement, and finally to 3,153. In competition specification, the engine would grow to an even larger 3,498 cubic centimetres with a four-valve head. Roughly 470 pounds had been stripped from the chassis thanks to the use of plastic windows, aluminium components, and thinner-gauge steel. In 1973, an updated CSL debuted with the most iconic modification of all, the ‘Batmobile’ aerodynamic devices. With help from Alpina, a large air dam, fender fins, a rear windshield spoiler, and a large rear wing were added to the body and worked together to provide a much-needed reduction of drag and lift. In this specification, the BMW would go on to a successful and lengthy motorsport career.

The BMW 3.0 CSL featured here was built in early 1973 and given to BMW Motorsport to run as a factory-backed, FIA Group 2-specification car. With racing drivers Hans-Joachim Stuck, Chris Amon, Toine Hezemans, and Dieter Quester offering their services to the team for the 1973 European Touring Car Championship, the group achieved four victories throughout the eight-event calendar – resulting in BMW winning the manufacturers’ championship and Hezemans winning the drivers' title. This was one of two team cars sent to the 24 Hours of Spa, Nürburgring 1000 Km, 4 Hours of Zandvoort, and the 6 Hours of Nürburgring in 1973. The car additionally participated in the 1973 RAC Tourist Trophy at Silverstone Circuit with Dieter Quester and Toine Hezemans behind the wheel.

This iconic 1973 BMW CSL is available as part of RM Sotheby’s Monterey auction held between the 17th-19th August 2023 in California. Photos: Alex Stewart © RM Sotheby’s