Condition: all original, low mileage, never taken apart

As you will gather by now, this particular CSL has been very well known to us for many, many years. Originally sold by L & C BMW of Tunbridge Wells, the first owner enjoyed the car for some years before selling it back to their Chairman, and well known BMW Collector, Tim Hignett. As a result, the car was added to one of the finest private collection of historic BMW's in Europe very early in it's life.

Outside: color: original Polaris metallic (060)

Original?  This car still carries all its correct lightweight features. Alloy panels, lightweight steel panels, black headlining, Scheel seats, 7” Alpina wheels, stainless steel arch extensions, Petri steering wheel, etc.

Restoration:

I was first introduced to the particular CSL in 1997 when the car was bought to me for an appraisal after nearly 12 years in dry storage. Having carried out a very detailed workshop report we where then asked to carry out all the work. The instruction from the owner was that the car was to want for nothing and must be prepared to the highest level to ensure turnkey motoring.

The car was booked in to the body shop and the workshop. The body shell had some small areas of corrosion and the paint had deteriorated while in storage. It was taken back to bare metal and all small areas of corrosion dealt with before being completely resprayed in the original colour. New stripes where then fitted and many of the trim parts replaced to ensure that as new look that the owner required. The body shell was unrestored and had survived reasonably well compared with most E9’s. This meant a proper restoration was possible. So often on these cars we see that all the original structure shapes and contours are lost especially to sill areas, inner front wing box sections and the tops of the inner front wings. £18,500 later the car was presented to a very excited owner.

This car is not just cosmetically stunning but it is structurally correct with all is correct wing rails, gusset panels and sills. The interior is still features its correct flecked carpets, Scheel headrest, correct Lightweight steering wheel, very good wood trim, the cloth is not faded and there are no nasty speakers in door cards. It is 100% correct and absolutely superb.

Mechanically the car wanted for nothing during its mechanical restoration. Every possible age related issue was eliminated ensuring 100% reliability. One of the very last of the factory exchange BMW engines was installed, all new coolant hoses, all new fuel hoses, new fuel pump hoses, Inspection II service carried out, new fuel pressure sensor, new engine mounts, drive belts, complete clutch, clutch hose, radiator, HT leads, fuel injection points, thermostat, new tyres, wheel centers, fuel tank, sound deadening, brake fluid reservoir hoses, four new Bilstein shocks, four rebuilt brake calipers with new pins, pads, handbrake shoes and brake hoses. New brake pipes as required, gearbox mounts, prop shaft coupling, prop shaft bearing, complete new exhaust system, boot light, bulbs, vertical window seals, wiper blades, badges, washer jets, all window mechanisms, adjusted and lubricated, new PAS hoses, 635 dip bean uprated headlamp units installed, track rods, water pump, washer pump, front wheel bearings, rear sub-frame bushes and rear roll bar bushes, etc were replaced.

The car will be presented to the new owner with a fully documented history file since 1997, service wallet and the original E9 handbook. We will also a supply a copy of the rare and very tricky to find CSL owners supplement.

A 5 speed close ratio gearbox is installed in this example. Our recommendation would be to leave this but we could discuss fitting the original four speed unit back to the car. This is still available. There is air conditioning currently fitted and this will be left installed until discussed with the new owner. We can remove and put this back to the original but if the car goes to a warmer climate it may be necessary to leave this. Our only recommendation would be to fit an original radio which would be the icing on the cake. Please call to discuss.

We have carried out our usual thorough report on the car in our workshops and will be carrying out the following work before the car is handed over to the lucky new owner who we know will carry on enjoying this special CSL as much as the previous enthusiast owners. Inspection II service, new brake fluid, new coolant, all wheels refurbished, new door mirrors, some small bits of trim, new header tank cap, new door catch grommets, new wiper blades, new antenna, full PDI and a new MOT. The Scheel seats have also had the webbing replaced for comfort.

Transaction:

2013: £49,500

Most of texts and pictures: Courtesie Classic Heroes

Title: TBY 423L

Owners:

• Circa 2013-> 2015 onwards: car collector

• Circa 2007-> circa 2013: owner (BMW collector)

• Some years later-> circa 2007: Tim Hignett, chairman of L & C BMW of Tunbridge Wells, and well known BMW Collector, bought the car "back"

• Delivered by L & C BMW of Tunbridge Wells to a first owner

• Production: 1975