1973 BMW 3.0 CSL Coupe

Produced from late 1972 to 1975 along three distinct series, BMW's 3.0 CLS 'Batmobile' was a homologated racing car for the road. The 'L' suffix represented 'leicht' or 'lightweight.' During its production lifespan, 1,265 examples were factory-produced, with 765 of those being left-hand drive cars. 500 were right-hand drive for the UK market. These cars had lightweight alloy hood and outer door skins, thin-gauge steel panels, a lightweight interior and a modified engine. The cars destined for the UK had their stock bumpers, power windows and soundproofing. The LHD versions did not have front bumpers or soundproofing and featured lightweight fiberglass rear bumpers. The cars received their nickname, the 'Batmobile' due to their radical use of aerodynamic devices.

Toine Hezemans secured the ETCC (European Touring Car Competition) with a 3.0 CSL and co-drove one with Dieter Quester to a class victory at Le Mans in 1973. Also that year, the 3.0 CSL finished 1-2 at the German Touring Car Grand Prix at the Nurburgring, with Chris Amon and Hans-Joachim Stuck placing ahead of Hezemans and Quester. The 3.0 CLS won the ETCC from 1975 through 1979. IN the United States, the 3.0 CSL won the IMSA GT Championship while being piloted by such drivers as Sam Posey, Ronnie Peterson and Brian Redman. The 3.0 CSL was also the canvas for BMW's first 'Art Cars,' as painted by noted artists Alexander Calder and Frank Stella.

Only 167 examples of the 3.0 CSL with the 'Batmobile' aerodynamic equipment and powered by the enlarged 3153cc six-cylinder engine.

This 'Batmobile' is the 12th Series 3 car produced. It was given a restoration that was completed in 1998 and has been carefully maintained since that time. It is finished in Polaris Silver with tri-color 'M' stripes and Plexiglas side windows. It has the deleted front bumper and a black fiberglass rear bumper. There is a roof hoop, rear wing, rear spoiler, front-fender wind splits and a front air dam. The interior features period-style Scheel racing seats. The car rides on Alpina wheels with Michelin XWX tires.

In 2011, this car was offered for sale at the Monterey, CA auction presented by RM Auctions. It was estimated to sell for $120,000-$160,000 and offered without reserve. As bidding came to a close, the car had been sold for the sum of $159,500, including buyer's premium.

By Daniel Vaughan | Oct 2011