P.McNamara
16 Monterey St,
St Ives, NSW, 2075
12 October 2006
Mr Brian Reed,
Historic Motor Sport Administrator,
Confederation of Australian Motor Sport Ltd,
PO Box 147,
Caulfield East, Victoria, 3145.
Subject: BMW 3.0 CSL application for eligibility in Historic Group S.
Dear Brian,
Thank you for your letter of 31August 2005, advising of the Historic Eligibility committee decision not to accept the BMW 3.0 CSL for Group S. Upon reviewing the information which was originally provided to the committee, I believe there may be some considerable confusion concerning the true nature of the 3.0 CSL and also in the differences between the 3.0 CSL and its derivative, the so called “Batmobile”. The 3.0 CSL was quite definitely a genuine production sports car and from 1972 until 1975 was the ‘top of range’ model in BMW’s coupe range. This is particularly so of the right hand drive version which was produced for the UK market, featuring a so called ’city pack’ fitout and which was sold though the then BMW UK distributor, BMW GB Concessionaires Ltd of Park Lane.
In support of this, I provide the following additional information and I ask that the Historic Eligibility committee re-consider its decision in the light of this additional information.
- Where did the 3.0 CSL fit in the BMW product range?
The BMW model designation for the CS range, was E9. General description of the model was ‘a 2 door coupe powered by a 6 cylinder SOHC engine.’ After the success of the small 4 cylinder models – 1602, 1802 and 2002, the CS range was to be BMW’s re-entry to the luxury sports car market and was intended to compete with vehicles such as Porsche Carrera RS, Aston Martin DB4, Jaguar E type, Ferrari 308 and 365, De Tomaso Pantera, Lamborghini Urraco, Mercedes Benz 350 & 450, etc.
BMW commenced production of the E9 or CS (Coupe Sport) series in September 1968 with two models, the 2800 CS and the 2800CSA ,both manufactured until 1971.
From 1972 until 1975 the CS range consisted of 5 basic models - 3.0CS, CSA, CSi, CSiA, and CSL. The basic mechanical specification were the same for all five model variants - Chassis, engine, drivetrain, suspension, body shape & panels (except for 4 aluminium panels in CSL) were common to each.
Total production of the CS range was 30,567 vehicles over the 7+ years.
The accompanying table lists all of the model variants together with VIN numbers, quantity produced and a brief description. One quite unusual feature of the BMW CS production, is the relatively small numbers produced of each model variant.
2.
The model range from which buyers were able to choose consisted of:
1968 – 71 Two model variants.
2800 CS 2788cc SOHC 6 cyl. carb. 170bhp, man. trans. 2 door coupe.
2800 CS 2788cc SOHC 6 cyl. carb. 170bhp, auto trans. 2 door coupe.
1972 – 75 Five model variants.
3.0 CS 2985cc SOHC 6 cyl. carb. 180bhp, man trans. 2 door coupe.
3.0 CSA 2985cc SOHC 6 cyl. carb. 180bhp, auto trans. 2 door coupe.
3.0 CSi 2985cc SOHC 6 cyl. EFI 200bhp, man trans. 2 door coupe.
3.0 CSiA2985cc SOHC 6 cyl. EFI 200bhp, auto trans. 2 door coupe.
3.0 CSL 3003cc SOHC 6 cyl. EFI 200bhp, man trans, 2 door coupe lightweight.
The majority of the range were made LHD, and some were sold in UK after conversion from LHD to RHD.
In 1972 - 3 BMW made RHD vehicles for the British market and offered a more limited range of coupes consisting of:
3.0 CSi 2985cc SOHC 6 cyl. EFI 200bhp man trans. 2 door coupe.
3.0 CSiA 2985cc SOHC 6 cyl. EFI 200bhp auto trans. 2 door coupe.
3.0 CSL 3003cc SOHC 6 cyl. EFI 200bhp man trans. 2 door coupe lightweight
I attach a copy newspaper advertisement from 1973 in which the BMW UK product range was advertised by BMW GB ConcessionairesLtd and showing the 3.0 CSL as top of the range model priced at GB Pds 7,399.00..
- Was the 3.0 CSL as sold to the public, a “homolgation special”?
The short answer is ‘No’. BMW built a total of 1286 3.0 CSL’s and certainly the car was homolgated for racing, but it was definitely produced as a genuine production sports car.
Since there is no actual publicly available definition of what constitutes a “homolgation special”, the answer is somewhat subjective. Perhaps the best point of reference is to compare the BMW with other manufacturers of the time. Our best information is that the FIA homolgation requirement for production sports cars in 1972 was a minimum of 500 identical vehicles sold to the public for road use.
As a point of comparison, please consider the Porsche 911 RS Carrera. In 1972, Porsche took the basic 911 and modified it substantially to make it an effective race competitor. Initially, 500 of the race car were built and sold specifically to homolgate the car. Porsche history records that the car was so desirable that Porsche continued to make it and eventually made 1636 units in 1972.
The car differed from the standard 911 Carrera having slightly larger engine, modified stiffer suspension, a ‘ducktail rear spoiler, larger brakes, larger wheels and wheel arches, and most significantly, thin gauge metal body panels to reduce the cars all up weight by 150kg. A number of these Carrera RS were further altered to produce the Carrera RSR which was lighter still and was in fact a factory prepared race car. As reference, I quote the book “The Complete Porsche” by Brian Laban (Publisher: Crestline).
I have enclosed a copy article from an internet website which gives a good summary of the Porsche 911 Carrera RS story from 1972. It is well worth considering the striking similarities between Porsche and BMW approach in that year –
3.
* both took a successful production model and adapted it for racing (Porsche 911S becoming Carrera RS (road use) and later Carrera RSR (facory race car) – BMW taking the 3.0 CS and producing the CSL (road use) and later CSL Batmobile (factory race car).
* model numbers were similar – 1636 porsche Carrera RS, 1278 BMW 3.0 CSL.
* modifications for race performance were similar – lighter body, stiffer suspension, different seats, aero packages, more powerful engine, etc.
* both produced enough initially to satisfy the FIA homolgation requirement of 500 identical units for road use, then produced significantly more than was required for homolgation, illustrating that both cars were genuine production vehicles.
* both manufacturers offered a fair bit of factory ‘specialisation’ of the cars sold in Europe.
Other manufacturers followed a similar path – Jaguar with a lightweight E type, Aston Martin with DBS, Lancia, Alfa Romeo, MG, all using alloy body panels and other means of improving their
cars driving performance. All who were at that time actively involved in motor racing were required to homolgate the model used for racing by building at least 500 identical units and selling
them for road use. It is my contention that the path followed by BMW with the CSL, was not really any different to many other manufacturers of that time.
- Was the 3.0 CSL a genuine production sports car (as distinct from a factory prepared race car)?
I have attached for reference, 2 BMW sales brochures from 1972, they are:
a) BMW Gemany brochure on CSi and CSL (German language), and
b) BMW UK brochure describing the RHD CSL with ‘City package’ specifically for UK market. Note – all of the UK RHD series carried all of this ‘city package’ as standard.
Both brochures show the standard of finish and luxury appointments in the CSL. The German brochure (for the 2 top of range cars) clearly indicates that the CSL was a part of the standard model range. Unfortunately, the brochure is in German language, but the pictorials should suffice.
The information in 1. above and the attached table of VIN numbers also clearly show how the CSL was a part of the company’s product range. To further demonstrate the CSL’s place in the range, it is worth considering the production figures and note the small production runs for each model variant in each year.
Prod. Year. 1968 1969 1970 1971 1972 1973 1974 1975
Models
Units produced.
2800 CS 138 2534 3335 276
2800 CSA 787 1089 73
3.0 CS 1974 1172 779 267 263
3.0 CSA 520 1215 1169 355 408
3.0 CSi 1061 2999 2741 579 555
3.0 CSiA 2
3.0 CSi RHD 66 128 13
3.0 CSiA RHD 69 139 7
3.0 CSL 169 252 287 40 17
4.
3.0 CSL RHD 349 151
2.5 CS 272 328
2.5 CSA 101 143
2800 CS (US spec) 43 415 183
2800 CSA (US spec) 36 403 87
3.0 CS (US spec) 132 411 450 375
3.0 CSA (US spec) 60 377 314 438
Total CS production 138 3400 5242 4535 6777 6026 2658 1734
The CSL was the ‘top of range’ model. To assist in improved driving performance, the CSL was made lighter by the use of aluminium panels for the 2 doors, the bonnet and the boot lid. It was also fitted with a LS diff.
While the basic mechanical spec. and body for the CSL (with exception of the 4 external alloy panels) were the same as the other CS models, the fitout differed between the LHD and RHD versions.
The RHD model CSL (500 units) fitted with a so called “city package” (see attached brochure) which included following: windshield and side glass - standard CSi glass (tinted), electric windows (front and rear), power steering, chromed bumper bars and wheel arch extensions, rear window defroster, special chassis undercoating, trunk lock, internal bonnet lock, velour carpet and on some, a front ‘bib’ spoiler. (Please see attached brochure as evidence of the ‘city package’). It is also worth noting that the additional items included in the RHD UK model increased the cars weight to 1300kg - 130kg more than the LHD version.
It seems highly unlikely that these additional items would be included in a factory race car, or a homolgation special. They were included specifically to add value and attract buyers.
- How does the CSL differ from the “Batmobile”
BMW made 1286 CSL’s – 786 LHD and 500 RHD between 1972 and 1975.
188 of the LHD model were modified for motorsport use (larger engine capacity, etc) and it is these 188 vehicles which were referred to as the “Batmobile”. 168 of these were sold to ‘the public’- 110 in 1972 in order to homolgate the basic car and a further 57 vehicles in 1975.
Also in 1972, BMW took a further 21 CSL ‘Batmobiles’ from the production series and used them as the basis for creating factory prepared race cars. All of the “Batmobiles” began life with a 3153cc SOHC engine.
The actual vehicles which became“Batmobile”s and sold to ‘the public’ were:
- 1972 – 110 vehicles VIN 2275430 – 2275539
- 1975 – 57 vehicles VIN 4355001 – 4355057.
and the factory prepared race cars were:
- 1972 – 21 vehicles – VIN 2275979 – 2276000.
All were left hand drive, all had fabricated titanium suspension components, wide box mudguards (to accommodate 10” wheel rims) and numerous other motorsport enhancements.
Engines were – 1973 - 3498ccSOHC Mech fuel Injection. (370bhp)
1974 - 3210ccDOHC EFI (480 bhp)
1975 - 3210ccDOHC Turbo.(750bhp).
5.
This information has been obtained from BMW Mobile Tradition archives and from several BMW car club sites. I trust it gives a full explanation of the issues.
I understand and respect the Historic Eligibility committee’s wish to exclude factory built race cars and small volume production vehicles which have been used specifically to ‘homolgate a manufacturers race car(s), however, I suggest that in the case of the BMW 3.0CSL, neither description applies. Certainly the 188 ‘Batmobiles’ and in particular, the 21 cars which became actual factory built race cars would be excluded under this regime. I am less sure of the credentials
of the remaining LHD CSL’s. But, I am absolutely sure that the 500 RHD vehicles qualify as genuine production sports cars in the same way as Porsche’s Carrera RS model of the period.
In view of the additional information provided herein, I respectfully request that the Historic Elligability committee reconsider the credentials of the BMW 3.0 CSL and approve the RHD version of it (VIN # 2285001 – 2285500) for acceptance within Historic Group S as a genuine production sports car of the period.
Yours faithfully
Peter McNamara.
Attachments.
- BMW GB Concessionaires Ltd advertisement.
- BMW Germany sales brochure - 1972.
- BMW UK sales brochure insert – 1973.
- Porsche Carrera RS 1972, article.
6.
BMW E9 production series.
Model VIN Series Units Brief description
Sept ’68 - Dec ‘72
2800CS 2200001 – 2206283 6283 2788cc – 170bhp carb. Man trans
2800CSA 2220001 – 2221949 1949 2788cc – 170bhp carb auto trans
3.0CS * 2210001 – 2214006 4006 2985cc – 180bhp carb. Man trans
3.0CSA 2230001 – 2232807 2807 2985cc – 180bhp carb auto trans
3.0CSi 2260001 – 2266506 6506 2985cc – EFI 200bhp man trans
3.0CSiA ? 2 (experimental)
3.0CSL 2275001 – 2275429 429 3003cc – 180bhp carb & 200bhp EFI
3.0CSL Batmobile 2275430 – 2275439 110 3153cc 206bhp EFI man alumin panels
3.0CSL Batmobile race 2275979 – 2276000 21 3498/3210cc various config.
3.0CSL (RHD) 2285001 – 2285500 500 3003cc -200bhp EFI man trans
2800CS 2270001 – 2270841 841 USA spec.
2800CSA 2280001 – 2280526 526 USA spec.
3.0CS 2240001 – 2240975 975 USA spec.
3.0CSA 2250001 – 2250738 738 USA spec
Jan ’73 – Dec ’75.
3.0CS 4300001 – 4300618 618 2985cc – 180bhp carb man trans
3.0CSA 4320001 – 4320860 860 2985cc – 180bhp carb auto trans
3.0CSi (RHD) 4350001 – 4350207 207 2985cc – 200bhp.EFI man trans
3.0CSiA(RHD) 4330001 – 4330215 215 2985cc – 200bhp. EFI auto trans
Jan ’74 – Dec ’75.
2.5CS 4305001 – 4305600 600
2.5CSA 4315001 – 4315244 244
3.0CS 4310001 – 4310393 393 USA spec.
3.0CSA 4335001 – 4335451 451 USA spec.
3.0CSi 4340001 – 4341429 1429 2985cc – 200bhp EFI man trans
3.0CSL Batmobile 4355001 – 4355057 57 2985cc – 200bhp EFI man trans,Alumin panels
Total production 30746.
(* 169 of these CS’ were converted to CSL (Carb.) – see seperate VIN list.)