1975 BMW 3.0 CSL Coupe

The 3.0 CSL racecars were the first cars to be developed under the new BMW subsidiary, established in 1972, BMW Motorsports GmbH and were the first to sport the newly designated official colors of BMW Motorsport - red, blue and purple. Based on the 3.0 CS coupe production car, the 'L' is for lightweight, referring to the aluminum doors and hood, began an assault on European touring car racing that would make it one of the most successful production racers of all time.

The 3.0 CSL had lighter bodywork and wider wheels than the 3.0 CS and 3.0 CSi models of the day. The CSL could take complete advantage of BMW's potent 6-cylinder powerplant. A front-spoiler, roof wing, rear wing and front fender mounted gates, resulted in the racing BWM CSLs earning the nickname 'Batmobile.'

The CSL formed the foundation of BMW Motorsport's first racing efforts, dominating the European Touring Car Championship from 1973 to 1980. The last racing version employed a newly developed 3.5 liter DOHC engine to great success.

Weighing 2,431 pounds it had an inline six-cylinder engine with 430 horsepower at 9,000 RPM and a 5-speed manual Getrag transmission. It was one of a team of five cars campaigned by BMW of North America in 1975 and 1976, enjoying considerable success, winning IMSA races at Sebring, Laguna Seca, Riverside, Daytona, Lime Rock and Talladega. Some of the drivers involved in these successes included Hans Stuck, Sam Posey, Brian Redman, Ronnie Peterson, Dieter Quester, Benny Parsons, Peter Gregg and David Hobbs.