1972 BMW 3.0 CSL - Full Restoration

Highlights 

• Original UK-supplied, right-hand drive 3.0 CSL

• Rare and iconic model

• Comprehensively and professionally restored over seven years by marque specialists

• 1,200 hours of expertise invested

• Fully rebuilt engine

• Recently completed, thoroughly documented and in stunning condition throughout

• The car has covered less than 600 miles since completion

• Available for inspection at the Pistonheads Annual Service on 8 Aug

Overview

Unfortunately, BMW stopped making the excellent 3.0 CSL back in 1975 after just 1,265 examples of the truly iconic homologation special rolled out of the factory, and ordinarily that would mean it's quite impossible to buy one new. Ordinary, however, is a word that doesn't feature in any discussions involving this particular car because FGV 246L, ladies and gentlemen, is about as close as you're going to get to a brand spanking BMW 3.0 CSL.

Far more than simply a cosmetic exercise, this CSL's restoration journey has been a genuine labour of love to ensure the highest levels of provenance, correctness and mechanical integrity in service to the long-term benefit of the car. Completed by renowned marque specialists RS Garages of Porto over the course of seven years and 1,200 hours of expert labour between 2018 and 2025, this 1972 BMW – originally an early UK-market, right-hand-drive 3.0 CSL “City Pack” car – now presents as a comprehensively restored example that has been set up to be used with confidence, not merely displayed.

The fully documented restoration addressed every meaningful aspect of the car, and components were restored, renewed or rebuilt according not only to their condition but also their contribution to authenticity. The interior was retrimmed from first principles, with new Scheel seats, correct-specification carpets and instruments brought back to an as-new standard, the engine has been thoroughly rebuilt and the exterior lovingly brought back to near concours condition making this a legitimately peerless example of one of BMW's most famous and legendary models.

History and documentation

• 1972 model year

• Chassis number 2285032

• Original UK-market, right-hand-drive City Pack example

• V5C present and correct in the vendor's name

• First registered 20 Oct 1972

• In current ownership since Nov 2021

• Two keys

• Reported to be one of the cars driven by the UK press from Germany during the model’s launch programme

• Restoration invoices from RS Garages (Porto)

• More than £177,000 invested in restoration and commissioning, as reported by RS Garages

• Detailed photographic record of the entire restoration process

• Following collection by the current vendor the CSL received an oil service and minor mechanical attention from UK classic BMW specialists Pristine Classics

• £5K+ specialist invoice dated Nov 2025

• The engine rebuild coincided with an odometer reset at collection and the car has covered few miles since

• Carefully run in

• Tax and MOT exempt

• HPI clear

• London ULEZ compliant

• 566 indicated miles

Interior

• Fully restored cabin oozes 1970s ambience

• Vendor reports the interior is like new

• Freshly retrimmed

• The Scheel seats, identical to those installed by Karmann, are brand new

• Original specification carpets

• Restored instruments

• Refinished woodwork

• The headlining and carpets are bespoke to the CSL and both have been replaced with the correct items

• Leather trimmed three spoke steering wheel

• No signs of any damage or wear and tear

• Incredibly clean throughout

• Engine bay presents beautifully

Exterior

• Restored to near new condition after a full and painstaking nut and bolt rebuild resulting in a car that is now in concours condition as reported by the vendor

• The bodyshell was stripped completely and taken back to bare metal by dipping before restoration began

• The standard was to reproduce the car’s original construction faithfully, including the position and character of the factory welds, rather than merely make the structure look correct from the outside

• Modern paint materials were used to provide a durable final finish, but authenticity remained the objective

• Preparation, panel fit and finish were considered together so that the completed CSL presents as a coherent, period-correct car rather than a modern interpretation

• Taiga Green paintwork is stunning (originally Verona Red) 

• Where a window-trim spacer was no longer available RS Garages had the part remade to the original design rather than substitute an unseen, improvised piece

• Correct CSL windscreen wipers were sourced through CSi Inc. in the United States

• The wheel-arch trims are original items that have been restored and refitted due to replacement parts not meeting the required standard

• All brightwork is in top condition

• Shut lines are uniform across all panels

• Windows, light lenses and mirrors are all free from damage

• The correct 14” alloy wheels appear to be unmarked

• Kumho Ecowing tyres all round 

Mechanical

• 206bhp, 3.0-litre straight-six engine

• Four-speed manual gearbox

• Rear-wheel drive

• The potent three litre engine has been fully rebuilt and detailed

• Post-restoration oil service and minor works by Pristine Classics, Southend

• The engine was rebuilt before the odometer was reset for running-in

• No mechanical issues to report

• The vendor informs us that the car starts on the button, has a very smooth engine, the gearbox is super tight and everything is as perfect as you would hope from such a comprehensively restored project 

Summary

Respecting both the model as a whole and the individual example itself the quality of this car's restoration is clearly evident. In the words of RS Garages who carried out the work: “the result is a CSL that feels as new (and in the owner’s view, better than new) because every system, surface and detail has been considered.” 

Occupying a different category entirely from a superficially finished example this BMW 3.0 CSL offers an uncommon proposition: an example restored over seven years, but already completed, commissioned and ready to enjoy so that the next owner can step directly into the final chapter of a painstakingly documented restoration and immediately enjoy the spoils.

To arrange a viewing, click the 'Book Viewing' button located under the 'Place Bid' button. Viewings can be booked up until the day before the auction ends, after which the option will change to 'Contact Seller' for further enquiries. This seller is located in London.