BMW 3.0 CSL Coupe (E9)

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Launched in 1968, the BMW E9 Coupe was one of the most handsome cars ever to roll from the Munich factory.

Sleek and shark-like, it had a wonderfully elegant and airy cockpit with slim windscreen pillars, a large glass area and a beautifully restrained wooden dash. Initially powered by a 2.8-litre straight-six, this was replaced by a 3-litre unit in 1971 that produced 180bhp on Solex carbs, later 200bhp with Bosch fuel injection which gave it a top speed of 140mph.

Most cars had all-steel bodywork but from 1972-75 a limited run of 1,039 cars were made with aluminium bonnet, boot and doors, thinner gauge steel elsewhere and lighter interior trim with Scheel bucket seats. Designated the CSL (Coupe Sport Leicht) these were some 300lbs lighter than the standard car and were ‘homologation specials’ with engine capacity marginally increased from 2,986cc to 3,003cc so the factory could contest the over 3-litre class.

This allowed BMW’s motorsport division to take on Ford’s previously all-conquering RS Capri and the CSL promptly won the European Touring Car Championship in 1973 and went on to repeat the feat every year from 1975 to 1979 inclusive, not to mention many other wins on both sides of the Atlantic. Only 500 examples were supplied to the UK market and all were quickly sold despite a hefty price tag of £6,399 – nearly twice as much as a V12 Jaguar E-Type.

First registered in September 1973, this Fjord Blue CSL is the third to last RHD car made (chassis number 497). It had just one registered keeper from 1986 until 2012 but spent most, if not all, of that time languishing in storage. 

Appearing to be in largely original condition throughout, it retains the correct Scheel sports seats and headrests and black headlining. The original three-spoke leather-covered steering wheel remains in place and it rides on Alpina alloys although the rears have been fitted with undersized tyres at some point, hence the odd stance at the back.

The engine still turns freely and was briefly coaxed into life about 18 months ago with some fresh fuel and a bit of nifty hot-wiring, the ignition key not being present. Although there is no denying that it will require major surgery to return it to the road, it has enough points in its favour to make the task worthwhile – especially when you consider that only 91 CSLs are still registered in the UK today, according to DVLA figures, and top examples are now changing hands for over £50,000. It is thought that only 190 survive worldwide in RHD form, 20 of these in Australia.

Supplied with a V5C, this largely unmolested example represents an exceedingly rare opportunity for some lucky soul to create an as-new CSL entirely to their own requirements.