• Year of manufacture 
    1973
  • Car type 
    Other
  • Lot number 
    112
  • Reference number 
    VE23_r0020
  • Condition 
    Used
  • Location
    Italy
  • Exterior colour 
    Other

Description

  • An extensively documented example of BMW’s wildest homologation special
  • Two private owners since new; acquired by the consignor from the first owner’s family in 2021
  • First registered to BMW’s press fleet and documented in period literature
  • Benefits from fastidious maintenance under current ownership; restored between 1992 and 1996
  • Tastefully modified by marque specialists under previous ownership

Completed on 1 August 1973, this BMW 3.0 CSL is the third of 167 examples that received an uprated 3.2-litre inline six-cylinder engine and the radical aero kit that earned the car its “Batmobile” nickname. It was promptly registered to BMW’s domestic press fleet as “M-CE360”, and subsequently starred in the January 1974 issue of Rallye Racing magazine.

At 8,900 kilometres, this CSL was sold to the newscaster Jochen Breiter, who remained its first and only private owner until 2021. Then wearing the personalised registration “K-TV123”, this car remained Mr Breiter’s daily transportation until 1991. In 1980, Mr Breiter had a BMW dealer install new, factory-correct CSL body panels throughout—a common practice in period owing to the 3.0 CSL's thin bodywork that was devoid of factory rustproofing.

During his lengthy ownership, Mr Breiter commissioned 134,000 Deutsch Mark-worth of notable improvements including the installation of a Blaupunkt Berlin stereo, partial leather interior, Recaro sport seats, Getrag 265 five-speed “dogleg” transmission, as well as custom engine internals. Between 1992 and 1996, this CSL was restored by MK-Motorsports, based near Stuttgart.

In the last 15,000 kilometres, this fine 3.0 CSL ‘Batmobile’ has been furnished with a set of fresh Michelin XWX tyres and Bilstein suspension components, and underwent a complete overhaul of its brakes and clutch, further to comprehensive engine servicing.
To view this car and others currently consigned to this auction, please visit the RM website at rmsothebys.com/en/auctions/ve23.


RM Sotheby's
5 Heron Square
Richmond
TW9 1EL
United Kingdom
Contact Person Kontaktperson
Title 
Mr
First name 
Augustin
Last name 
Sabatie-Garat

Phone 
+44-2078517070