1973 3.0 CS'L' 'Batmobile' Group 2 Replica

• The BMW E9 3.0 CSL (Coupe Sport Light) was built as an homologation special to allow the car to be eligible to race in the European Touring Car Championship
• Unveiled in 1971 at the Geneva Motor show, production ran until 1975 (1,265 cars in total)
• This 'Batmobile' replica is based on a 1973 E9 CS shell, completed to a very high specification and would cost considerably over ú100,000 to replicate
• Powered by an M30 Alpina B10 unit, mated to a five-speed Getrag dog-leg gearbox
• Full FIA/HTP roll cage, fuel cell, race seats, 6-point harness, lightweight wings, doors, bonnet and boot, plus full 'Batmobile' rear wing and air scoop
• Fantastic road/track day car but could also be a very serious racing car with some minor tweaks
• Cherished registration number 4 BYJ will stay with the car

This superbly presented, left-hand drive recreation of the legendary 'Batmobile' is a fantastic road/track day car but has the potential, with a few modifications, to become a competitive historic competition car. Painstakingly created over a five-year period by its previous owner, '4BYJ' is based on a 1973 BMW CS shell prepared with enormous attention to detail and a very high standard of workmanship. The engine is an M30 Alpina B10 unit, overhauled by Fritz's Bits of Somerset and this is mated to a five-speed Getrag dog-leg gearbox. An aluminium boot, bonnet and doors have been fitted, together with Image wheels, a Sideloader LSD, Brembo front brakes, a ducted side exhaust, new windscreen and rubbers, plumbed-in fire extinguisher, ATL fuel cell to FIA standard FT3-1999 (with a Certificate of Conformance valid until 2022), OMP race seat (in compliance with FIA standard 8859-1999), racing harness and a Custom Cages roll cage.

Our vendor, a well-known collector and historic racing driver bought the 'Batmobile' from its previous owner, who commissioned the initial build, and has painstakingly gone through this wonderful machine during his ownership and the results are clear to see. Interestingly, going through the history file, there is some correspondence between our vendor and the MSA as to the car's potential eligibility for FIA papers. Our vendor informs us that he's been advised that there are five minor areas that would need to be addressed in order to potentially obtain an FIA HTP.

1. Change the bell housing for the period-correct item.

2. Change the clutch slave cylinder.

3. Change the distributor

4. Change the Brembo calipers for original BMW parts

5. The exhaust should not be recessed into the bodywork and a small section of the floor would need to be returned to manufacturer's spec.

Our vendor has preferred to use this fabulous replica for road use during his ownership and he is generously including the cherished private plate '4 BYJ' in the sale. Finished in Chamonix White with the classic 'M Sport' stripes in Process Blue, Purple 268 and Warm Red and sounding fabulous, this fantastic homage to the iconic 'Batmobile' would cost considerably over ú100k to replicate today. Accompanied by the aforementioned history file, correspondence with the MSA, along with its UK V5C, Silverstone Auctions are proud to offer this superbly crafted homage to one of the most legendary Touring Cars in BMW's history.

For those of us of a certain age, there is a huge amount of appeal in being able to enjoy a serious 'track day' on a Thursday at Silverstone in a gorgeous, well-sorted, E9 'Batmobile' and 'burble up' in the same car at your favourite pub on a Sunday lunchtime.