Lot 118 1974 BMW 3.0 CSL 'Batmobile' Coupé For Sale by Auction

This is lot number 118 in the Bonhams Zoute sale on October 6th, please see the Bonhams website for full details.

• The 31st of a mere 57 Series 2 examples
• BMW Motorsport test car; then allocated to works driver Hans-Joachim Stuck
• Well-documented history
• Most recently restored in 2017 with invoices on file
• Invited to the Villa d'Este Concours d’Elegance in 2006
• UK V5 registration document

1973 was a landmark year for BMW, for not only did the German manufacturer power Jean-Pierre Jarier to the European Formula 2 Championship, it also captured the European Touring Car Championship using one of the most iconic racing ‘saloons’ of modern times: the 3. 0 CSL, known popularly as the ‘Batmobile’.

BMW had returned to six-cylinder power for its range-topping models in 1968 with the launch of the 2500 and 2800 saloons. Also new was the 3. 0 CSL’s forerunner, the 2800CS coupé, though the latter’s running gear had more in common with the existing, four-cylinder 2000C/ CS. The introduction of the similarly styled 3. 0-litre CS in 1971 brought with it numerous improvements, including four-wheel ventilated disc brakes, and with 180bhp on tap the model was good for around 130mph. For racing purposes there was the lightweight 3. 0 CSL.

Visually indistinguishable from its more ‘run of the mill’ relations, the CS and CSi, the 3. 0 CSL (Coupé Sport Leicht) was creative homologation at its best. The BMW engineers’ solution to the marketing department’s requirements was to develop a limited production run ‘homologation special’ to meet the constrictive framework of the Group 2 racing class regulations. By removing the trim; using thinner steel for the main bodyshell; aluminium alloy for the doors, bonnet and boot lid; and Perspex for the side windows a valuable 300lbs (136kgs) in weight was saved – ‘Leicht’ indeed.

Homologated initially with a fractionally over-bored (3, 003cc) engine (enabling it to compete in the over 3-litre class) the 3. 0 CSL came with 206bhp for road use and well over 300 horsepower for the track. In 1973 the engine’s stroke was increased, upping capacity to 3, 153cc (nominally 3. 2 litres) and from mid-season onwards the racing CSLs used the so-called ‘Batmobile’ aerodynamic package, developed at Stuttgart University, which consisted of a front chin spoiler, large rear wing and various other devices. Illegal for road use in Germany, the wings were left in the boot for final installation after purchase.

Thus equipped the Batmobiles were able to defeat the previously all-conquering Ford Capri RS2600s: Toine Hezemans capturing the 1973 European Touring Car Championship for BMW at the wheel of a 3. 0 CSL and co-driving one to a class win at Le Mans that year with Dieter Quester. Ford bounced back in 1974 but from 1975 onwards the BMW ‘Batmobiles’ won five consecutive European Touring Car Championships, a quite unprecedented run of success.

With only 1, 039 CSLs produced between 1972 and 1975 compared to over 19, 000 standard CS/ CSi models, these ‘specials’ will always be relatively rare and today this ultimate BMW coupé is highly sought after.

The 31st of only 57 Series 2 cars produced, chassis number '4355031’ was delivered new on 11th July 1974. BMW factory records list this car as a Testwagen M GmbH (M Division test car). First registered in Germany on 14th July '74, it was allocated to works driver Hans-Joachim Stuck soon after he had been photographed airborne at speed in his works car during the Nürburgring 6 Hours: one of motor sport's most enduring images. The German motoring magazine Auto Motor und Sport photographed Stuck with '4355031', the driver stating that stated that he felt “as if it were a piece of myself”.

The Batmobile was next owned by Christian Neureuther, member of the West German Olympic ski team, world champion Rosi Mittermeier’s husband, and Stuck's close friend. The car was purchased via his sponsor from Jochen Neerpasch, head of BMW Motorsport GmbH. In 1978 Neureuther sold '4355031' to Joseph Zahler, who retained the car until 1995 when world-renowned CSL expert Yannick Bernat acquired it. Bernat immediately commissioned CSL specialist Dieter Toegel to undertake a full restoration using original BMW parts, including the correct, thin-gauge alloy body panels. During restoration the Batmobile was fitted with a period-correct Alpina B2 engine (an in-period factory option) producing 260bhp, 57 horsepower more than the than standard CSL, although it was considerably more expensive.

Subsequently, in 2005, the Batmobile passed to a new owner, Tony Badenoch, in the UK. In 2006, the CSL was exhibited by invitation at Villa d’Este Concours d’Elegance as one of only six cars obtained from collections worldwide to form Class H: 'The Competition and the Show'. While with this owner the CSL was maintained to the highest standards by UK-based specialists. Our vendor purchased the Batmobile at an auction in Monaco in 2010. Seven years later, the car was restored again, as evidenced by invoices on file from Classic Heroes totaling around £18, 000 together with restoration photographs and a list of parts that were changed. In addition, the car comes with all the documentation supporting its unique history as a Test Car for BMW’s new M Division and association with Hans-Joachim Stuck.

The owner displayed the BMW at Goodwood in April 2019 for the Members' Meeting, which Stuck was scheduled to attend. He was delighted to hear it would be there and said he remembered happy times with it (he said it fitted him like a glove) and offered to sign it. Sadly, he had to cancel his trip so that never happened; instead the owner sent Hans the photograph of him with a girl in the car, which he said brought back great memories of her too! The CSL was also displayed at the 2021 Goodwood Revival ‘Earl’s Court Motor Show’.

In addition to the aforementioned documents the history file also contains the following: 1990 TüV document stating that Hans-Joachim Stuck was the previous registered owner, and Christian Neureuther is the current one; Current UK V5 registration document; 1998 BMW Mobile Tradition letter stating the car was a test vehicle.

This spectacular Batmobile, featuring a storied history, is eligible for a range of historic events or for simply fast road use, allowing it to continue its story with its new owner.

Please note that if this vehicle remains within Belgium the reduced rate of Import VAT at 6% will be charged on the hammer price. Please note that if you purchase as an EU Company, the VAT amount will be calculated based on your registered countries rate. Import rates to other EU Countries may vary and an administration fee will be charged to prepare the necessary customs clearances with the Bonhams Customs Agents. If you have any questions regarding customs clearance, please contact the Bonhams Motorcar Department or our recommended shippers.