1972 BMW 3.0 CSL Was A Rocket Launcher In A Knife Fight

The 1972 BMW CSL was the savior of the brand when it was going through a tough phase after the Second World War. The coupe literally made today’s M3 possible by placing BMW back on the global map. The BMW 3.0 CSL comes with a potent engine and a very stylish exterior and for a 70s car, it was among the best in the market.

History of BMW CSL

1972 BMW E9 3.0 CSL – Source Jeremy from Sydney, Australia, CC BY 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons

BMW suffered for a long time after World War II and it was evident that the company could not produce cars at its usual capacity. In order to turn the tide, the brand decided to opt for something that would be simple yet well-performing, cars that would not be super expensive but there would still be considerable profit. After all, who needs caviar when a good old cheeseburger will do?

Hence a new generation was introduced C and CS which stands for Competition and Competition Sport respectively. These models offered great performance and their affordability paved the way for the BMW 3.0 CSL. The CSL is a lightweight version that belonged to the BMW E9 famous on the tracks. Its predecessors 2800 CS and 3.0 CS were serious race cars but the CSL is a homologation specially designed and engineered focusing on the European Touring Car Championship. The CSL 3.0 remained in production through 1972 to 1975.

What is so special about the BMW 3.0 CSL?

1972 BMW 3.0 CSL Interiors – Source BMW M Media

The biggest aspect of the BMW 3.0 CSL being special was its design and performance. CSL stands for Competition Sport Lightweight which simply means it is a sportier edition ready for the challenge and at the same time, it is lighter than its previous iterations.

BMW used thinner steel on the body and the trim that allowed soundproofing inside the cabin was taken away. Aluminum alloy was used for the doors, boot lid, and bonnet to further decrease the weight. Polymethyl methacrylate is an engineering plastic that is lighter than glass and it replaced the standard windows. To be precise, the 3.0 CSL weighs 2,800 lbs.

However, these upgrades were only available in the European edition, particularly aiming for the Touring Championship. The CSL arrived in the UK soundproofed with automatic windows and stock bumpers on demand by the importer.

How is the performance of the BMW 3.0 CSL?

1972 BMW CSL 3.0 – Source Lothar Spurzem, CC BY-SA 2.0 DE, via Wikimedia Commons

Initially, the CSL had the same 3.0L engine as the CS but it was replaced by a slightly larger 3.2L 6-cylinder that boosted the stroke to 84 mm. The 3,153 cc engine was able to produce 203 hp of power at 5,600 rpm and the maximum torque was 211 lb.-ft at 4,200 rpm. Out of a total 765 CSLs, only 110 had this upgrade. The CSL has a 4-speed manual gearbox and the top speed of 134 MPH, pretty impressive for a 70s performance-oriented coupe.

The CSL was truly a savior for BMW as its performance in the market as well as on the tracks was outstanding. The 3.0 CSL affectionately known as the “1972 BMW 3.0 CSL Batmobile” by some enthusiasts, was doing exceedingly well in the 24-hour Le Mans endurance test which means both the driving and the comfort were top-notch. The durability of the engine and the reliability of the entire vehicle was hailed by both drivers and fans alike.

What are the races and wins associated with the CSL?

1972 BMW CSL – Source François de Dijon, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons

The BMW 3.0 CSL was built aiming for the European Touring Car Championship where it competed in the group 2 form. The first victory came as a Drivers title in 1973 and though the production was complete by 1975, the cars were regular in the Championship for several more years. In fact, the CSL won back-to-back five times from 1975 to 1979.

The European Touring was not the only glory the 3.0 CSL has as it also competed in the Group 5 Special Production guise of the 1976 World Championship for Makes winning three rounds. Group 4 in the FIA was a tougher one for BMW where it had to face off with several big guns but it did manage some success. In the German Touring Car Grand Prix in 1973, the 3.0 CSL took both the first and second places. The IMSA GT Championship in 1975 was another success for BMW with the same car.

What does a 1972 BMW CSL worth in 2023?

1972 BMW 3.0-litre CSL – Source Arnaud 25, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons

The total production of the E9 range was 30,546 but the 3.0 CSL only had 1,265 units manufactured from 1972 to 1975 which is way less than the initial models. However, the specific model still managed to revive the brand from the uncertainties of its time and successfully put the brand name on the global map again.

The asking price of the 1972 BMW 3.0 CSL was $12,000 when it launched. However, when considering the current worth of the vehicle, it is necessary to look through a lot of factors. For example, if all the parts are original, whether or not the engine or other hardware aspects like its suspension and exhaust had any work on. The most important factor, in this case, is the current condition of the car, meaning how stable its performance is.

1972 BMW 3.0-litre CSL wheel – Source Thomas Vogt from Paderborn, Deutschland, CC BY 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons

In 2019, RM Sotheby’s fetched $131,600 for a 1972 BMW CSL, one of the only 169 first-series CSL’s with carbureted induction. In 2022, Bring A Trailer bagged $225,000 for a refurbished 3.0 CSL finished in gold over black upholstery with 35k miles on the clock. Recently, a 1972 BMW 3.0 CSL for sale turned up on Iconic Autioneers in Europe, however stamped a SOLD OUT badge for $192,957 as soon as one could make a move.

To conclude, the 1972 BMW CSL is not just an average luxury coupe but belongs to the classic group with incredible performance.