BMW 3.0CSL 2275981 Frank Stella

BMW 3.5 CSL Turbo - Brian Redman _ Peter Gregg Le mans 1976

Dijon Prenois

Dijon Prenois 1976

Dijon Prenois 1976

Below: 2275981 original paint work

Silverstone 1976

The below car is an inspiration of the Frank Stella car wagen - click on the link

Identification:

• 2275981 vs 16536: two distinctive differences between 16536 and 2275981. 2275981 has an extended rear fender flare. The flare begins at the very front of the quarter panel. While the flare on 16536 is the 'standard group 5' flare that starts about 12" further back. The second is that 16536 has two oval shaped air inlets in the front below the headlights but above the air dam.
• 2275981 and 16536 versus all others: 2275981 and16536 were fitted with running boards. Arthur Porter replicated them and installed them on 16536  in the existing holes in the fenders and rockers. The subsequent owner removed them.

Specifications:

1. Exterior color (paint code):
   1. Frank Stella art work, painted between May and June 1976, after Siverstone and before Le Mans;
   2. Original: white / red / purple / blue.
2. Engine: M49/4 turbo, 3210cc, DOHC Turbo.(780bhp)
3. Group 5
4. Top speed: 341 km/h
5. Built by Motorsport, factory car

Races:

1. September 4th 1976 Dijon France, Manufacturer’s World Championship. It was to be driven by Ronnie Peterson, a racing driver of international repute, and one of Stella’s friends
2. June 13th 1976 Le Mans
1. #41
2. Driven by: Brian Redman (GB)/Peter Gregg (USA)
   DNS: Hervé Poulain (F); listed, never drove: Harald Grohs (D), Sam Posey (USA), Hughes de Fierlant (B)
3. did not finish (Oil consumption)
   Grid: 8th (3:53.400)
4. Group V
5. Other CSLs racing: #42 Gitane Atlantikblau, #43 2275982, #45 Hermetite, #46 Team Brock
3. May 9th 1976: Silverstone 6 hours
   1. #1
   2. Driven by Ronnie Petterson (S) / Gunnar Nilsson (S). Listed did not drive: Hans-Joachim Stuck
   3. Did not finish (transmission issue)
   4. Grid: 2nd (1.27.390)
   5. Group V
   6. Sponsor: BMW
   7. Other CSL racing: #2 2275982, #3 Alpina Faltz black, #4  Hermetite  white gold orange black winner
4. September 4th : Dijon
   1. Team:
   2. Racing number:
   3. Sponsors:
   4. Pilots:
   5.  position
   6. Grid:
   7. Other cars: 2275982, Hermetite

       

Past 1975, the FIA introduced the fourth generation Group 5 rules which allowed for much more development than Group 4 or IMSA cars. Many of the defunct 3.0 and 3.2 liter cars from the ETCC were converted and raced up until 1979. Some of these Group 5 cars are distinguished with a much longer rear wing and a more protruding front spoiler as raced at Le Mans. Furthermore they were fitted with an upright 3.5-liter 24 valve M49 engine compared to the Group 4 IMSA Spec with 30° angle engine.
Read more at http://www.supercars.net/cars/4962.html#hVvT35fMatwwtUXx.99

Comment from John Castle:

Group 5 had several engine size classes and that the normally aspirated 3.5 litre Group 5 CSLs entered by Alpina and Schnitzer in 1976 competed in all 7 World Championship of Makes races so that the CSL came 2nd overall to Porsche. The factory by then were concentrating on the new 320i for 1976. The turbo was just a "vanity" project.

History

BMW liked Poulain’s 3.0 CSL so much, the automaker itself commissioned a second Art Car the next year, based again off the race-spec 3.0 CSL. BMW chose to commission American artist (and self-confessed motorsports fan) Frank Stella to tart up the new car.

Unlike Calder’s striking car, Stella’s CSL was inspired by engineering. The artist described his design as a “blueprint transferred onto the bodywork,” and indeed, the car appeared to sport a graph paper grid pattern on every surface. Stella then painted various shapes atop the grid, including concentric circles on the hood that housed the car’s racing number.

Once again, the car was taken to France to compete in the 24 Hours of Le Mans -- but Poulain was nowhere to be seen. This time, the car was fielded by Australian racer Peter Brock, along with Brian Muir, and Jean-Claude Aubriet. The grueling endurance race once again prevailed, and the car retired from the competition early.

This CSL Turbo cars built to Gp 5 Spec and that it only raced a couple of times. It was fairly hard on transmissions!

More contemporary photos:

http://s250.photobucket.com/user/Orangener/library/Stella%20Art%20Car?sort=3&page=1

Owner:

1. BMW
2. Production: 1976