Virtually all manufacturers of note have gone racing at some point. From single seaters to NASCAR and the Dakar to quarter-mile drags, the opportunities to demonstrate the power, speed, agility or advancement of their products are virtually endless.
When it comes to European marques, the vast majority have achieved their most famous glories in one of three arenas: Formula 1, the WRC (or whatever the preeminent rally championship of the day may have been), or Le Mans. The likes of Ferrari, McLaren and Mercedes in F1; Volkswagen, Citroen and Lancia in rallying; and Aston Martin, Bentley and Jaguar at Le Mans - all tend to be associated more with one type of motorsport than any other.
BMW, it's fair to say, bucks that trend. Yes, its cars have enjoyed success in rallying, and its engines have been deployed to great effect in F1, but it's the German firm's tin top track cars for which it is best known - the one exception, of course, being the open-cockpit V12 LMR, which won Le Mans in 1999. While it has undoubtedly made an impact in endurance racing - as today's Spotted further demonstrates - Touring Cars have long been its bread and butter. In a back catalogue which includes names like the M1 Procar, E30 M3, and 2002 it can be hard to stand out, but that's not too much of an issue for today's Spotted.
The 3.0 CSL is one of the most instantly recognisable models BMW ever produced. Built to enter the European Touring Car Championship, it was also entered into many endurance events and remained successful from its introduction in 1969 right through the 70s. Power came from a 3.0-litre straight-six engine producing up to 200hp at 5,500rpm and 201lb ft at 4,300rpm, but it was the car's lightweight construction (the L in CSL even stood for it) which made it such a success. Its body was built from thinner gauge steel than standard, with aluminium doors, bonnet and boot lid, Perspex windows and no weighty trim or soundproofing resulting in a kerb weight of just 1,250kg.
An ex-Schnitzer-BMW and Alpina-BMW car, 'our' CSL competed in such famous races as the Spa 24 Hours, Silverstone Tourist Trophy and the 1,000km (or Six Hours) of Monza. It's greatest achievement seems to have been a third place overall finish at the 1971 Nurburgring 24 Hours, when it was piloted by german drivers Karl-Heinz Eisenschenk and Hans-Gunther Stoffel. It may not have matched the achievements of its six-time ETCC-winning siblings, then, but that doesn't prevent it from being tarred with the same glorious brush.
Clearly in incredible condition - and sporting one of the coolest liveries you're likely to find - this CSL's FIA Historic Technical Passport enables its entry into events such as the Motor Racing Legends Historic Touring Car Challenge and Peter Auto Heritage Touring Cup. When it comes to this Spotted, then, you're not just buying a beautiful car, incredible racing machine, solid investment or piece of history, but access to the kind of experiences which will let you enjoy and enhance all four. Worth the price of entry, whatever that may be.
SPECIFICATION | BMW 3.0 CSL
Engine: 3,003cc, inline-six
Transmission: four-speed manual, rear-wheel drive
Power (hp): 200@5,500rpm
Torque (lb ft): 201@4,300rpmMPG: 28 (combined)
CO2: N/A
First registered: 1969
Recorded mileage: N/A
Price new: N/A
Yours for: POA
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