1973 BMW 3.0 CSL

This 1973 BMW 3.0CSL has 164k kilometers (~102k miles) and received an exterior refresh shortly after it was acquired from Bavaria by the seller in 1991. The 3.0L inline-six has been consistently maintained for the last 25 years with regular fluid changes performed by the seller, and larger service items such as a rebuild of the 4-speed gearbox handled by noted specialist Marcus Glarner. First introduced in 1972 as a lightweight homologation special for eligibility into the European Touring Car Championships, approximately 1,265 3.0CSL road cars were built. They were about 440 pounds lighter than the 3.0 CS through the use of an aluminum hood, doors, and trunk lid, along with thinner steel body panels, thinner glass, perspex rear window, unique interior, and deleted bumpers, trim, and soundproofing. Though many CSLs were fitted with the optional City Pack that re-introduced a host of normal luxury and convenience options at the expense of added weight, this example retains the pure lightweight specification. Driven approximately 25k kilometers over the past 25 years, the car is described as fully-sorted and is sold with a clean Ontario title in the sellerâ??s name.With a history of repaints by the previous owners in both a non-original gold color and the correct Taiga Metallic (072), the body was stripped to the bare metal and refinished in the proper Taiga Metallic during the refurbishment. The car was finished in a non-original gold color when purchased by the seller, and was returned to its original Taiga Metallic (072) during the exterior refurbishment. The exterior was stripped to bare metal followed by some minor rust repair, installation of the last thin gauge CSL tail panel then available, and the repaint. Imperfections are said to include some small paint chips along the front of the factory fiberglass bumper, doors, and rear bumper, while some bubbling has developed along the bottom of both doors that is detailed in the gallery below.Hood and fender grills were re-chromed in 1991, and the exterior brightwork and plastic lenses appear well-preserved in the provided photographs. The rear decklid and plastic rear bumper are unique to the CSL, while the fiberglass rear hoop spoiler and front spoiler are not believed original by the seller.A set of period BBS Mahle wheels were fitted prior to the sellerâ??s purchase and appear well-preserved in the detailed photo gallery, with no noticeable sign of imperfections on the polished lip or mesh surfaces.The car retains its original Resartglas perspex rear window that was fitted by the factory along with a Verbel laminated windshield for additional weight savings.The interior shows well and remains largely unmodified apart from the fitment of a dash-mounted oil temperature gauge, a period gooseneck reading lamp, 3-point Schroth harnesses, and the removal of the radio tray and rear speakers. The car retains the proper three-spoke Petri steering wheel as well as the original Scheel sport seats finished in black cloth upholstery with deep black leatherette bolsters, which show wear commensurate with their age. They remain free of any noticeable stains or tears, though the seller notes the material is wearing thin. All controls, functions, and instruments are said to remain fully operational with the 5-digit odometer indicating 64k kilometers since it initial rollover.The center console wood and touch surface remain in good condition, though the fonts for the wiper speed switch have faded over time. Window switch blanks are unique to the CSLs equipped without the City Pack, as this car is fitted with manually operated front and fixed rear windows.The original dash exhibits some curling and lifting along the passenger side corner that will require either repair or replacement. Wood accents remain in good condition throughout with some chipping noted on the passenger door trim piece.With the interior carpets removed, an older rust repair performed by the previous owner illustrates the use of non-factory floor panels.The trunk remains tidy and complete, retaining its carpet and the factory spare Alpina wheel.The engine bay remains clean and well-kept, though remnants of the previous gold paintwork can be seen on the underside of the hood following the removal of the non-original engine pad by the seller.The 3.0L M30 inline-six is injected commensurate with its early serial number and early 1973 production date, though service records are minimal prior to the sellerâ??s purchase in 1991. Records during the sellerâ??s ownership are included and document a transmission rebuild performed in 1992 by Marcus Glarner.