This 1973 BMW 3.0 CSL is one of 429 left-hand-drive series-two examples built between September 1972 and June 1973. It was completed on May 8, 1973 and delivered to a BMW importer in Italy before being sold new by Cartiere San Benedetto in Naples in June 1973. It remained in Italy through five owners over 11 years prior to spending the subsequent 35 years in Switzerland, including more than 25 years with a single owner. In 2016 the car was sent to Slovakia for a restoration that covered the body, interior, powertrain, and more. In 2019 it was imported to Canada, where it was acquired by the selling dealer in 2020. Power is provided by a rebuilt numbers-matching 3.0L inline-six that features Bosch fuel injection and is mated to a four-speed manual transmission which has also been overhauled. This E9 CSL retains its factory color combination of Golf Yellow over black vinyl and cloth and is now offered with restoration records and photos, a BMW Classic certificate, ownership records, recent service invoices, and British Columbia registration.
The CSL was introduced at the 1971 Geneva Motor Show after being developed as a homologation model for European touring car competition. The “L” variant was distinguished from standard CS models by weight-saving measures including an aluminum hood, doors, and trunk lid, thinner-gauge steel panels, a plastic rear bumper without over-riders, deletion of the front bumper, and fixed Perspex rear side windows. Additional characteristics exclusive to the lightweight model included chrome wheel arch extensions and racing-style hood release pins.
This example is finished in its factory shade of Golf Yellow (70), with black beltline stripes that were also unique to CSLs. During the restoration carried out between 2016 and 2018, the car was disassembled and stripped to bare metal, with areas of rust repaired before application of seam sealer, primer, and paint. New rubber seals were installed, and trim pieces and lighting units were either replaced or refurbished. The seller notes that the windshield and rear window have been replaced with non-CSL items.
16” Alpina alloy wheels have been added in place of the 14” factory wheels and wear Pirelli Cinturato tires measuring 205/55 up front and 225/50 out back. Date codes from 2016 to 2017 are shown on each tire as well as on a Dunlop tire mounted on the accompanying 14” spare wheel. The CSL suspension system utilized Bilstein gas-pressurized shock absorbers and progressive-rate springs. This example received new shocks all around during the restoration as part of a suspension overhaul, and the brake system was also refreshed at that time with rebuilt calipers, new rotors, and new pads.
The cabin features Scheel sport seats which were re-padded and re-upholstered in black corduroy with leatherette bolsters during the restoration. The wood trim was also refinished, the door panels and window trim were refreshed, the window cranking mechanisms were rebuilt, and new carpets were installed. Thinner carpeting and minimal sound proofing helped with weight saving on the CSL model, which also featured a black roof liner. Torsion bar hinges have been added to this example’s trunk lid, which has also been fitted with a lock.
The three-spoke steering wheel was recovered in black leather and frames VDO instrumentation including a 240-km/h speedometer and an 8k-rpm tachometer. The five-digit odometer shows 92k kilometers (~57k miles), about 200 of which have been added since the restoration.
The 3.0L M30 inline-six features Bosch electronic fuel injection and produced 200 horsepower and 204 lb-ft of torque when new. The engine was rebuilt during the restoration, with new components including pistons, connecting rods, bearings, bushings, valves, and rocker arms. A new fuel pump and new injectors were fitted along with a new distributor, alternator, and starter. The cooling system was refreshed with a new radiator, thermostat, heater core, and hoses. Service carried out by Coachwerks Restoration in May 2020 included repairing a leak at the fuel sending unit and replacing an incorrect-material fuel hose.
Stamping +2275363+ is shown stamped on the engine block above, matching the chassis number. The cylinder head is said to be a replacement from 1975.
Power is sent to the rear wheels through a Getrag four-speed manual transmission and a limited-slip differential, both of which were rebuilt during the restoration. Additional underside images are provided in the photo gallery.
Images from the restoration are included in the gallery below, along with invoices from the work which are included in the sale. Also shown in the gallery below is the BMW Classic certificate listing the original build information, as well as historical ownership paperwork. The video below includes driving and ride-along footage and a start-up.
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