Description
Beautiful BMW 3. 0L CSL – restored by Munich Legends, matching numbers
One of the most beautiful. One of the most underrated. The 3. 0 CSL is a car that looks amazing even when parked next to cars worth ten times the amount. As a classic it ticks every box; racing pedigree, limited numbers (500 RHD), beautiful styling, period feel – and most importantly, that mystery ingredient that attracts so many people to its distinctive lines.
The 3. 0 CSL was so expensive back in 1972 – twice the price of your average house – that very few people could afford one. Remember that until BMW started to win on track with the CSL, the company was more known for producing Eastern-bloc style nasty square boxes. And with the war a recent memory for many people, German cars were not necessarily flavour of the month. But a few people got it. Driving a CSL now you can see just how ahead of the pack BMW really were. Compare, say, an E-type Jag, or even some of the more expensive Italian exotica, and its not hard to see why the CSL then cleaned up at the race track for the next five or so years.
The few who ‘got it’ soon spread the word. And despite the relative commercial failure of the CSL – UK cars had to have a ‘city pack’ of toys fitted to entice people to part with their £6800, which promptly added back most of the weight shed for the ‘L’ designation – a cult following was born. The faithful few watched as values plummeted over the years and their cars often fell apart – we’ve heard many a story of ruined holidays and embarrassing breakdowns – but even then, for many, its still the best car they ever owned. And those who remember the CSL from their childhood, with relatives or friends who owned one of these incredibly rare cars, the memory has never left them. Many of them end up in our showroom, hoping to find the car of their dreams.
Set up right, the CSL drives like the GT it was always meant to be and still impresses even today. The 3. 0 M30 engine – which went on to power a huge swathe of BMWs in various forms right into the 90’s – throws out a smooth but very vigorous 200bhp, making it a seriously quick machine by the standards of the time. And by 70’s classic car standards the CSL is a very reliable machine, with good parts availability for all but the odd piece of trim.
The problem is availability. Out of the original 500 it is estimated that fewer than 65 remain (source: How many are left? Website) and we would suggest that the majority of those still registered are in urgent need of saving from extinction. Many people took advantage of BMW’s generous offer to change the engine when faults occurred back in the day, so matching number cars are scarce too. The biggest problem has never been the price of CSLs, but whether you can find one worth owning.
This special CSL first came to us from a restorer who had gone out of business before finishing. At that time it had been painted Alpine white and wore lather instead of Scheel inside. We could see the potential – matching numbers, pretty well rust-free, complete, and with good road manners. We were then commissioned to carry out a restoration, with the goal being to return this rare classic to its original full glory; full bare metal strip and repaint, taking the car back to its original factory Golf yellow, full underside and engine bay restoration, interior retrim (in the correct fabric), full engine rebuild (top and bottom) and general, full mechanical overhaul/ restoration, right down to the nuts and bolts. What we now have is a fabulous, period correct, matching numbers, restored 3. 0 CSL ready for the world’s most discerning collectors, for showing, or to be used and enjoyed on a regular basis. Golf is certainly one of the most striking 70s colours, perfectly representing the era. The suspension feels tight and sporty, and the engine, once again, has all 200 horses ready to show you just how far ahead of the pack BMW were in the early 70s, with this lightweight masterpiece. It would be over 30 years before they were able to pull off the same trick again…
A full pictorial record of the restoration can be viewed on our website restoration page
There’s plenty of paperwork with the car too, including all the Munich Legends invoices for the restoration carried out in 2019.
This is a CSL that simply has to be seen. For more information, or to book a visit to view this fabulous classic, please contact our showroom team
