1973 3.0CSiL 2275477

Below: 2014

History

In 1980 a pair of friends in New Jersey were actively bringing in grey market cars from Europe, and 2275477 found its way to the United States in one of their containers. One of the friends registered the car in New Jersey, and owned the car until 1983 when marital troubles forced him to sell it to the other friend, Joe Rega. The CSL would remain his possession for the next 29 years.

For the first 20 years the CSL resided at Joe's friend's BMW shop. Towards the end of its residency the car was repainted in its correct Polaris silver. In 2003 Rega took the CSL home and placed it next to his 3.0 CS and two 3.0 CSis. He would go on to drive it only about 500 miles in the next 9 years.

2275477 was delivered to the US wearing a set of BBS racing wheels, which were refurbished by BBS when the car was repainted. Currently the car sits on 16" Alpina wheels, a popular modern upgrade, and has a correct 14" Alpina spare. The original factory BBSs come with the car.

This car has been documented by BMW to be a genuine CSL. It is number 47 of the "first batch" 3.2 injection cars built from 7/1973 through 10/1973, of which only 110 were produced. It was delivered new with all of the options that gave the car its nickname the "Batmobile," including the rear air guide and wing. This is also one of the few CSLs that were special ordered from the factory with flared rear wheel arches that where installed to accommodate the larger BBS wheels. During Rega's ownership the original 3.2 liter M30 engine and 4-speed transmission were replaced with a later 3.5 liter M30 motor and 5-speed transmission. The original and correct 3.2 liter M30 block and head come with the car.

2275477 is one of the finest original examples we have seen. No rust, no wear, no issues. The underside of the car is immaculate, and the interior, from the correct Scheel sport seats to the dash woodwork, looks as new. Fully detailed and serviced this CSL is ready to represent one of BMW's finest hours.

Outside color: Polaris metallic (060)

Modified: 3.5 liter 6 cylinder

Mileage: 23 612 miles in 2014

Modifications: rear flare, engine

Controversy: rear flare origin, OEM or not

Transaction:

• 2021: for sale at Canepa
• 2014: $400K

Owner:

1. Canepa Collection
2. 2014 For sale in the USA
3. Neal Heffron Massachusetts, USA
4. Peter Gleeson
5. 1983->2012: Joe Rega
6. 1980: imported to the US
7. Delivered on February 4th, 1974 to the BMW dealer Bovenkamp in Wuppertal (Germany)
8. Production on October 23rd, 1973