1972 BMW 3.0 CSL

Purchased in Kesgrave, Ipswich in October 1977 this car is being sold by the widow of an avid car enthusiast and collector. It will come as no surprise that this car is in need of a full-scale restoration to bring it back to its former glory. While the owner’s late husband had the intention of restoring the car, he was unable to since falling ill in 2004. This is why the car is being sold with additional parts that the owner’s late husband had purchased for it, namely a stainless-steel exhaust system (purchased in 1990 for just shy of £335), two rear brake discs, and four spare alloy wheels.

This CSL’s chassis number is 2285042; it has had one other prior owner and ticked up a modest 14,789 miles on the clock. That is because the car doesn’t hold the original engine (more on that later), as the owner’s late husband had a need for speed and managed to blow it out when taking his friend for a spin some years ago. Though paperwork won’t prove roadworthiness in this case, the car comes with test certificates from April 1983, August 1984 and July 1985, adding a certain nostalgic charm.

Having been part of the family for 45 years, the owner recounted many weekend drives from their home in Ipswich to The Kings Head pub in Laxfield. Despite the owner’s late husband's primary love being British classic cars, she explains that he always loved the CSL because “it is one car that looks pretty from all angles.”

The body work requires a lot of attention, as the car has clearly been exposed to moisture and there doesn’t seem to be a panel that has escaped the clutches of rust and corrosion. Metal work is most significantly corroded around the front and rear wheelhouses, the rear windscreen surround and the front panel. Paintwork is affected by rust on the roof, on both doors, and both side panels. There is bubbling and corrosion under the rear bumper, where the back-side meets the underside. The boot lid is mis-shaped on the right-hand side and the paintwork has bubbled by the bonnet vents. The car retains its original wheels, but they’re in need of restoration. The rubber seal around the Perspex windows has been dislodged on the driver’s side.

The interior of the car bares the evidence of being stored outside, as leaves, debris and spiderwebs have taken over the cabin. The car has standard cloth, Scheel seats which are prone to sagging at the best of times, but in this case the upholstery is very weathered and damp-looking. The front passenger seat has been removed from the car, but the owner thinks it is in storage. There is visible damage to the seat fabric, particularly on the driver’s seat and the rear right-hand seat, which have torn to reveal the inner foam. Having been sat idle for so long, it looks as if colonies of new life are growing around the steering wheel and on the steering wheel column. Though covered in debris, the carpets appear to be damp and stained from rust, indicating the car is also rusting from the inside. The driver’s door panel shows evidence of being exposed to water, as the veneer is peeling off. There isn’t much of the dashboard that remains, as it has almost completely rotten away, leaving a mis-shaped air vent as the only distinguishable feature. Meanwhile the central console is masked under spiderwebs and debris, and there is exposed wiring behind the glove compartment.

Though not the original, the installed correct-type engine was purchased from BMW in Germany in 1977. The current engine was installed before the car went into storage, meaning that it has not been shielded from the elements. Consequently, the state of things under the bonnet is commensurate with the rest of the car. From speaking to the vendor, and because this car has been in storage for so many years, it is very unlikely that the car will start. Though the M30 single-overhead cam engine is long-lived, there is evidence of rust on the fan, strut towers and radiator. The fuse box has clearly been exposed to moisture over the years which means the electrics will likely be in need of attention.

There are no two ways about it: the underside of this CSL evidences significant amounts of corrosion and rust. Parts of the rear floor panel have completely perished, particularly the metalwork around the spare wheel, the extent to which the spare wheel is visible when looking under the rear of the car. There is rust on the under bonnet, the lower valance and the rear inner wings. The fuel tank, suspension and wheel axles are covered in rust, too and the floor corners have completely perished.

Undoubtedly it will be a sizable undertaking to bring this Beemer back to its former glory and whoever buys this car will need an appetite for a full-scale restoration. That said, for the right person, it could be worth it, as over the last twenty years or so, global interest in 1970s grand touring cars has taken hold - and these cars were among the first to rise in interest and value. For a CSL that’s been rebuilt, it can fetch in excess of £140,000. It’s also worth mentioning that there’s no reserve listed on the car but, balancing the desirability of the CSL against the amount of work required, we think you’ll need to part with somewhere between £15,000-£25,000 to take this car away. The popularity of E9s has grown enormously, particularly among younger classic car fans, so this is an exciting opportunity for someone keen for a project.

Viewing is always encouraged, and this particular car is located in Ipswich. To arrange an appointment please use the Contact Seller button at the top of the listing. Feel free to ask any questions or make observations in the comments section below, or try our ‘Frequently Asked Questions’.