1974 BMW 3.0 CSL Batmobile

The 1974 BMW 3. 0 CSL ‘Batmobile' VIN 4355010 listed was manufactured February 1. 1974 and delivered to the BMW Importer ‘Moorkens' in Kontich/Antwerp (Belgium) on March 19. 1974. It is number 10 of the 3. 5 series or ‘second batch' of CSL's. of which only 57 were produced. This is an original ‘Batmobile'. given the name because of the aggressive factory aerodynamic package including the rear wing. air scoop and front fender spats.  

The BMW Group Archive indicates this CSL was used as a BMW company car between the time of manufacturing and delivery to Belgium. It returned to Germany. date unknown. and was found at a dealership in Essen. Germany in 2000 by the current owner. Dennis. Dennis purchased and imported the CSL into the United States and it underwent a semi-restoration process with Korman Autoworks. Inc. in Greensboro. NC.  

There they addressed rust issues. body work. paint. the engine/transmission and suspension. The CSL was repainted the original color. Chamonix paint code 085. The original 3. 2L motor. which suffered mechanical issues. was replaced with a rebuilt later model 3. 5L motor featuring a Schrick cam and Bosch Motronic (The original 3. 2L motor with the matching number is still available). The original intake and runners were reused to retain factory like aesthetics. An upgraded later model 5 speed transmission was also installed. Suspension was improved with Bilstein shocks and upgraded sway bars. Alpina 16” wheels. a very popular upgrade from that era. replace the factory 14” wheels. The original 14” spare wheel and tire remain. however the other 14” wheels are not available. The interior was. and still is in good factory condition and no improvements or changes were necessary. Much of the visit with Korman was documented and can be viewed on their website http://www. kormanautoworks. com/3. 0r. htm.  

The Batmobile has remained in storage since the semi-restoration. only being driven a few miles each year. One occasion which. Dennis entered the 2010 Deutsche Marque Concours De' Elegance taking 2nd place. This vehicle does have a Virginia title. passed Virginia state inspection at one time and was driven on public roads here in the United States. When driven. it performs very well. The tuned engine feels and sounds great. raw and very exciting power. Handling has always been a strong suit of BMW and this one does not disappoint. The look and feel of the no frills interior will tug at any vintage BMW enthusiast. An over sized lightened steering wheel. factory bucket seats. no sound proofing or creature comforts shows BMW was serious about advancing into and setting the standards high in the sport coupe market.

This is a beautiful CSL with many perks. however it's not perfect and to be fair and open we'll address the known items. We will depict the true condition of the car in the pictures provided as best we can. The paint is in good condition however there is a large chip in the paint on the driver side next to a small dent. Not all exterior hardware is ‘factory style' but can be replaced. Most of the rust issues were corrected during the semi restoration however the driver side floor pan was never addressed (because it was not rusted through. it was sand blasted and re-painted only). Note the small hole in the front corner of the driver floor pan. No repairs were necessary on the passenger side as it was in good condition. The passenger door is showing bubbles in an isolated area at the front edge. Much of the exterior weather stripping/gaskets show signs of age and dry rotting. The speedometer is not connected to the late model transmission therefore the speedometer and odometer do not work. All other gauges work properly. including the clock. Lastly the differential has a slight leak (no other leaks).  

Brief History of the BMW CSL ‘Batmobile' 

The BMW CSL. built on the E9 chassis. was inspired by the highly competitive and booming racing industry. BMW was after a stronger and lighter coupe and they achieved just that. Four series of the CSL's were produced: 1. 2. 3 and 3. 5. Series 1 cars did not differ much from the factory 3. 0CSs. essentially the same car only much lighter saving 440 lbs. with light weight panels. bonnet. boot etc. The series 2 cars received fuel injection and a slightly larger motor. The series 3 car was a game changer. The organization which would later become BMW Motorsport was eager to homologate their competition only 3. 5L race engine for production-based racing. That homologation required BMW to manufacture and run a larger engine in their road car. This resulted with the BMW 3. 0 CSL 3. 2L. Big motor. aggressive aero dynamic packages and very few ever produced. Series 3. 5 had only a few minor cosmetic changes from the series 3 and even fewer were made. Only 167 Batmobiles total were manufactured. 110 of which are series 3 or ‘first batch' and the last 57 built are considered series 3. 5 or ‘second batch'. What we have in this listing is the very rare series 3. 5. 2nd batch Batmobile.

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The BMW is for sale locally and I reserve the right to end the auction at any time for any reason.

If your're seriously interested in the BMW. I encourage you to make a personal visit to inspect and look over the car. The CSL is stored in Leesburg Virginia and is available Monday – Friday. Call (703) 777-6301 to schedule a visit.

By bidding on this BMW you acknowledge and accept the current condition of the vehicle and have had the opportunity to inspect the car in person and ask any questions you thought necessary before bidding. DO NOT BID IF YOU ARE NOT A SERIOUS BUYER.

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