BMW 3.0 CSL ‘Gitane’ FIA 1970

1970 – BMW 3.0 CSL ‘Gitane’ FIA

French registration document

French registration certificate

Prepared racing car, including roll cage, sold without MOT

Prepared racing car, including roll cage, sold without MOT

Chassis no. 2204067

A famous ‘Batmobile’, in a sumptuous vintage livery worthy of an Art Car…

A famous ‘Batmobile’, in a sumptuous vintage livery worthy of an Art Car…

• The 3.0 CSL is one of the most iconic models in the Bavarian manufacturer’s history. It owes its development to Jochen Neerpasch, former director of Ford Motorsport, who was hired as chief engineer at BMW Motorsport GmbH, and whose first project was the team’s official return to motor racing with the E9, thus marking the start of the CSL project.
• The name Coupé Sport Leich (lightweight) refers to the modifications made to the bodywork to homologate the car for Group 2. Fitted with the M30 straight-six engine featuring two valves per cylinder and fuel injection, this engine was modified over the course of its production, gradually increasing in displacement to 3,003 cm³, then to 3,153 cm³. In the competition version, its displacement reached 3,498 cm³ with a cylinder head featuring four valves per cylinder. The chassis was lightened by approximately 213 kg through the use of plastic windows, aluminium components and thinner steel.
• In 1973, a CSL featuring incredible aerodynamic elements designed by Alpina made its debut, quickly earning the nickname ‘Batmobile’. In this configuration, the 3.0 CSL went on to enjoy a long and illustrious career in motorsport. That same year, the German manufacturer won the European Formula 2 Championship (with Jarier) and the European Touring Car Championship, as well as the 24 Hours of Le Mans (class victory), with Hezemans at the wheel of a formidable 3.0 CSL, finally capable of beating the Ford Capri 2600 RS on their own turf.
• Ford bounced back in 1974, but from 1975 onwards, the BMW ‘Batmobiles’ won five consecutive European Touring Car Championships, an unprecedented run of success that made the 3.0 CSL Competition the most iconic BMW racing car of all time…
• The car featured in these pages was built over 10 years ago on a 2800 CS chassis (whose identity and registration document it has retained), with a 3.5-litre 12-valve M30 engine, to comply with its original homologation specifications and obtain its PTH (valid until December 2028), the essential requirement for its entry into historic races. It has since competed in the Dix Mille Tours du Castellet, the Grand Prix de l'Âge d'Or, the Modena Cente Ore and the Tour Auto, where its performance and appearance left no one indifferent… Sold fully serviced, ready to drive, with a comprehensive set of spare parts (including two sets of wheel rims, a rear axle, a gearbox…), it will allow its crew to compete in the finest events on the historic racing calendar, including Le Mans Classic and the Heritage Touring Cup 1 by Peter Auto, with a car of choice.

• The 3.0 CSL is one of the most iconic models in the Bavarian manufacturer’s history. Its development is attributed to Jochen Neerpasch, former director of Ford Motorsport, who was hired as chief engineer at BMW Motorsport GmbH; his first project was the team’s official return to motor racing with the E9, thus marking the start of the CSL project.
• The name Coupé Sport Leich (lightweight) refers to the modifications made to the bodywork to homologate the car for Group 2. Fitted with the M30 inline-six engine featuring two valves per cylinder and fuel injection, this engine was modified over the course of its production, gradually increasing in displacement to 3,003cc, then to 3,153cc. In the competition version, its displacement reached 3,498cc with a cylinder head featuring four valves per cylinder. The chassis was lightened by approximately 213 kg through the use of plastic windows, aluminium components and thinner steel.
• In 1973, a CSL featuring incredible aerodynamic elements designed by Alpina made its debut, quickly earning the nickname ‘Batmobile’. In this configuration, the 3.0 CSL went on to enjoy a long and illustrious career in motor racing. That same year, the German manufacturer won the European Formula 2 Championship (with Jarier) and the European Touring Car Championship, as well as the 24 Hours of Le Mans (class victory), with Hezemans at the wheel of a formidable 3.0 CSL, finally capable of beating the Ford Capri 2600 RS on their own turf.
• Ford bounced back in 1974, but from 1975 onwards, the BMW ‘Batmobiles’ won five consecutive European Touring Car Championships, an unprecedented run of success that made the 3.0 CSL Competition the most iconic BMW racing car of all time…
• The car featured in these pages was built over 10 years ago on a 2800 CS chassis (whose identity and registration details it has retained), fitted with a 3.5-litre 12-valve M30 engine, to comply with its original type-approval specifications and obtain its PTH (valid until December 2028), the essential requirement for its entry into historic races. It has since competed in the Dix Mille Tours du Castellet, the Grand Prix de l'Âge d'Or, the Modena Cente Ore and the Tour Auto, where its performance and looks left no one indifferent… Sold fully serviced, ready to drive, with a comprehensive set of spare parts (including two sets of wheel rims, a driveshaft, a gearbox…), it will enable its crew to compete in the finest events on the historic racing calendar, including Le Mans Classic and the Heritage Touring Cup 1 series by Peter Auto, with a first-class machine.

Est. €200,000 – €300,000