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The BMW 3.0 Coupe Sport or CS series was launched in 1968. They were a grand touring coupe that required only minor refinement to make them competitive in the European Touring Car Championship and in American IMSA racing. In response, a new lightweight CSL was developed as a homologation model for the German Touring Car Championship by what would become the Motorsport or 'M' division. Introduced in September 1971, the CSL coupes had thinner steel for the frame and employed aluminum for the trunk lid, hood and doors. Most of the convenience features were gone and it had an overall weight of just 2,568 pounds, some 440 pounds less than an equivalent 3.0CS. Power was from the standard 2985cc M30 engine with twin carburetors and was only offered in left-hand drive.
This particular example is an early-production Series 1 CSL. It is the 29th produced of a total of just 169 cars made with factory carburetion before the switch to fuel injection. It was also given the optional lightweight Vertex Plexiglas windows.
The car was manufactured on December 1, 1971 and delivered new to BMW Italia S.p.A., in Palazzo, Verona, Italy on September 7, 1972. Its early history is not known; it was apparently raced in Italy for several years. Around 1974, the original 2985cc engine was replaced by the more potent, then-current 3.3-liter E3 engine fitted with triple Weber carburetion. The 4-speed transmissions is believed to be original to the car. In 1986, it was imported by its second owner, Robert Mandraccia, from Italy to Oklahoma City, Oklahoma and then on to Fort Myers, Florida. The car was fitted with safety glass to meet U.S. standards, and it was given an American-spec steel front bumper. The car was repainted from its original Colorado Orange to Polaris Silver Metallic with tri-tone M Stripes.
In 1998, the car was purchased by James Arocho of Ormond Beach, Florida. By that point in its history, it was known as a Prototype due to its many early production details. Mr. Arocho used the car sparingly during his ownership. The next owner was Craig Brody, where it was completely dismantled and stripped to bare metal for a ground-up restoration. It was refinished in its original code 2 Colorado Orange with Black CSL stripes and chrome fender trim, and refitted with the original Green-tinted Vertex Plexiglas windows for maximum authenticity. A mechanical restoration included a new custom-built factory-style exhaust system.
The interior has its original wood trim, steering wheel and carpeting. It also has a unique rear passenger compartment fresh air ducting exclusive to the early-production models.By Daniel Vaughan | Jun 2015
This particular example is an early-production Series 1 CSL. It is the 29th produced of a total of just 169 cars made with factory carburetion before the switch to fuel injection. It was also given the optional lightweight Vertex Plexiglas windows.
The car was manufactured on December 1, 1971 and delivered new to BMW Italia S.p.A., in Palazzo, Verona, Italy on September 7, 1972. Its early history is not known; it was apparently raced in Italy for several years. Around 1974, the original 2985cc engine was replaced by the more potent, then-current 3.3-liter E3 engine fitted with triple Weber carburetion. The 4-speed transmissions is believed to be original to the car. In 1986, it was imported by its second owner, Robert Mandraccia, from Italy to Oklahoma City, Oklahoma and then on to Fort Myers, Florida. The car was fitted with safety glass to meet U.S. standards, and it was given an American-spec steel front bumper. The car was repainted from its original Colorado Orange to Polaris Silver Metallic with tri-tone M Stripes.
In 1998, the car was purchased by James Arocho of Ormond Beach, Florida. By that point in its history, it was known as a Prototype due to its many early production details. Mr. Arocho used the car sparingly during his ownership. The next owner was Craig Brody, where it was completely dismantled and stripped to bare metal for a ground-up restoration. It was refinished in its original code 2 Colorado Orange with Black CSL stripes and chrome fender trim, and refitted with the original Green-tinted Vertex Plexiglas windows for maximum authenticity. A mechanical restoration included a new custom-built factory-style exhaust system.
The interior has its original wood trim, steering wheel and carpeting. It also has a unique rear passenger compartment fresh air ducting exclusive to the early-production models.By Daniel Vaughan | Jun 2015
2014 Mecum - Monterey
Pre-Auction Estimates :
USD $275,000-USD $325,000
High Bid (Lot was not sold)
USD $180,000
Recent Sales of the BMW 3.0 CSL
(Data based on Model Year 1971 sales)
BMW 3.0 CSLs That Failed To Sell At Auction
1971 BMW 3.0 CSL's that have appeared at auction but did not sell.
| Vehicle | Chassis | Event | High Bid | Est. Low | Est. High |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1971 BMW 3.0CSL LIGHTWEIGHT PROTOTYPE | 2211376 | 2014 Mecum Monterey | $180,000 | $275,000 | $325,000 |
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1971 BMW 3.0 CSL
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