Gregor Wenner
Specialist Consultant
LOT 139
1973 BMW 3.0 CSL 'Batmobile' Series 1 Coupé Chassis no. 2275496 Engine no. 2275496 (see text)
Sold for €368,000 inc. premium
Lot 139
One of just 33 examples in Chamonix White
1973 BMW 3.0 CSL 'Batmobile' Series 1 Coupé
1973 BMW 3.0 CSL 'Batmobile' Series 1 Coupé
1973 BMW 3.0 CSL 'Batmobile' Series 1 Coupé
Chassis no. 2275496
Engine no. 2275496 (see text)
Chassis no. 2275496
Engine no. 2275496 (see text)
• Iconic BMW 'homologation special'
• One of only 110 Series 1 cars
• Delivered new to Hamburg, Germany
• One of only 33 Series 1 in desirable Chamonix White
• Ex-Naito Collection, Tokyo
• BMW Classic certificate
1973 was a landmark year for BMW, for not only did the German manufacturer power Jean-Pierre Jarier to the European Formula 2 Championship, it also captured the European Touring Car Championship using one of the most iconic racing 'saloons' of modern times: the 3.0 CSL, known popularly as the 'Batmobile'.
The introduction of the similarly styled 3.0-litre CS in 1971 brought with it numerous improvements, including four-wheel ventilated disc brakes, and with 180bhp on tap the model was good for around 130mph. For racing purposes there was the lightweight 3.0 CSL.
Visually indistinguishable from its more 'run of the mill' relations, the CS and CSi, the 3.0 CSL (Coupé Sport Leicht) was creative homologation at its best. The BMW engineers' solution to the marketing department's requirements was to develop a limited production run 'homologation special' to meet the constrictive framework of the Group 2 racing class regulations. By removing the trim; using thinner steel for the main bodyshell; aluminium alloy for the doors, bonnet and boot lid; and Perspex for the side windows a valuable 136kgs in weight was saved – 'Leicht' indeed.
Homologated initially with a fractionally over-bored (3,003cc) engine (enabling it to compete in the over 3-litre class) the 3.0 CSL came with 206bhp for road use and well over 300 horsepower for the track. In 1973 the engine's stroke was increased, upping capacity to 3,153cc (nominally 3.2 litres) and from mid-season onwards the racing CSLs used the so-called 'Batmobile' aerodynamic package, developed at Stuttgart University, which consisted of a front chin spoiler, large rear wing and various other devices. Illegal for road use in Germany, the wings were left in the boot for final installation after purchase.
Thus equipped the Batmobiles were able to defeat the previously all-conquering Ford Capri RS2600s, Toine Hezemans capturing the 1973 European Touring Car Championship for BMW at the wheel of a 3.0 CSL and co-driving one to a class win at Le Mans that year with Dieter Quester. Ford bounced back in 1974 but from 1975 onwards the BMW 'Batmobiles' won five consecutive European Touring Car Championships, a quite unprecedented run of success.
The Batmobile we offer here is one out of the 110 Series 1 examples built (total production was 167 examples). Series 1 cars' chassis numbers were always prefixed '2275' and there was the choice between Silver or Chamonix White paintwork; interestingly, only some 30 were ordered in Chamonix White, making them rarer and more desirable. This Batmobile was manufactured in September 1973 and delivered new to BMW Niederlassung in Hamburg, Germany. The car seems to have remained in Germany for a few years before being sold in 1978 to Japan, where there was an emerging market for interesting European sports cars. As is common practice in Japan, the date of first registration chosen by the authorities is the day the car was registered in Japan (ignoring any previous registration), which is why this car is titled as 1978, having been registered there in March of that year.
While in Japan the Batmobile belonged to the important Naito Collection in Tokyo. It was restored around 2012 and has remained in Japan for most of its life, only returning to Europe recently. Since its return the car has formed part of an important private collection. Only some 2,000-3,000 kilometres have been covered since restoration. The matching-numbers engine is correctly stamped '2275496' (as confirmed by a specialist) but for reasons unknown 'V' check marks were stamped over the engine number in Japan.
More recently the BMW has been road-registered in Belgium with the most appropriate personalised registration plate 'BATMOB'. Accompanying documentation includes Belgian registration documents; technical inspection valid until August 2025; BMW Certificate confirming chassis and engine numbers and German delivery from new; an old Japanese registration document and some Japanese invoices for work carried out; and a classic car valuation report (dated September 2020).
Today the car is beautifully presented, its older restoration holding up well, and this spectacular 'homologation special' is ready to be enjoyed by its new owner.
• One of only 110 Series 1 cars
• Delivered new to Hamburg, Germany
• One of only 33 Series 1 in desirable Chamonix White
• Ex-Naito Collection, Tokyo
• BMW Classic certificate
1973 was a landmark year for BMW, for not only did the German manufacturer power Jean-Pierre Jarier to the European Formula 2 Championship, it also captured the European Touring Car Championship using one of the most iconic racing 'saloons' of modern times: the 3.0 CSL, known popularly as the 'Batmobile'.
The introduction of the similarly styled 3.0-litre CS in 1971 brought with it numerous improvements, including four-wheel ventilated disc brakes, and with 180bhp on tap the model was good for around 130mph. For racing purposes there was the lightweight 3.0 CSL.
Visually indistinguishable from its more 'run of the mill' relations, the CS and CSi, the 3.0 CSL (Coupé Sport Leicht) was creative homologation at its best. The BMW engineers' solution to the marketing department's requirements was to develop a limited production run 'homologation special' to meet the constrictive framework of the Group 2 racing class regulations. By removing the trim; using thinner steel for the main bodyshell; aluminium alloy for the doors, bonnet and boot lid; and Perspex for the side windows a valuable 136kgs in weight was saved – 'Leicht' indeed.
Homologated initially with a fractionally over-bored (3,003cc) engine (enabling it to compete in the over 3-litre class) the 3.0 CSL came with 206bhp for road use and well over 300 horsepower for the track. In 1973 the engine's stroke was increased, upping capacity to 3,153cc (nominally 3.2 litres) and from mid-season onwards the racing CSLs used the so-called 'Batmobile' aerodynamic package, developed at Stuttgart University, which consisted of a front chin spoiler, large rear wing and various other devices. Illegal for road use in Germany, the wings were left in the boot for final installation after purchase.
Thus equipped the Batmobiles were able to defeat the previously all-conquering Ford Capri RS2600s, Toine Hezemans capturing the 1973 European Touring Car Championship for BMW at the wheel of a 3.0 CSL and co-driving one to a class win at Le Mans that year with Dieter Quester. Ford bounced back in 1974 but from 1975 onwards the BMW 'Batmobiles' won five consecutive European Touring Car Championships, a quite unprecedented run of success.
The Batmobile we offer here is one out of the 110 Series 1 examples built (total production was 167 examples). Series 1 cars' chassis numbers were always prefixed '2275' and there was the choice between Silver or Chamonix White paintwork; interestingly, only some 30 were ordered in Chamonix White, making them rarer and more desirable. This Batmobile was manufactured in September 1973 and delivered new to BMW Niederlassung in Hamburg, Germany. The car seems to have remained in Germany for a few years before being sold in 1978 to Japan, where there was an emerging market for interesting European sports cars. As is common practice in Japan, the date of first registration chosen by the authorities is the day the car was registered in Japan (ignoring any previous registration), which is why this car is titled as 1978, having been registered there in March of that year.
While in Japan the Batmobile belonged to the important Naito Collection in Tokyo. It was restored around 2012 and has remained in Japan for most of its life, only returning to Europe recently. Since its return the car has formed part of an important private collection. Only some 2,000-3,000 kilometres have been covered since restoration. The matching-numbers engine is correctly stamped '2275496' (as confirmed by a specialist) but for reasons unknown 'V' check marks were stamped over the engine number in Japan.
More recently the BMW has been road-registered in Belgium with the most appropriate personalised registration plate 'BATMOB'. Accompanying documentation includes Belgian registration documents; technical inspection valid until August 2025; BMW Certificate confirming chassis and engine numbers and German delivery from new; an old Japanese registration document and some Japanese invoices for work carried out; and a classic car valuation report (dated September 2020).
Today the car is beautifully presented, its older restoration holding up well, and this spectacular 'homologation special' is ready to be enjoyed by its new owner.
Additional information
Looking for a similar item?
Our Cars specialists can help you find a similar item at an auction or via a private sale.
Find your local specialistSpecialist section
Auction Viewings
- 5 October 2023, 10:00 - 18:00 CEST
- 6 October 2023, 10:00 - 18:00 CEST
- 7 October 2023, 10:00 - 18:00 CEST
- 8 October 2023, 09:00 - 12:00 CEST
