1973 3.0 CSL 'Batmobile Homage'

• Lovingly restored and rebuilt over a ten year period by a BMW enthusiast who always wanted a CSL and a 'Batmobile'
• Using a genuine, RHD 3.0 CSL as a basis, this Batmobile Homage was created with help from Soper BMW of Lincoln
• All 'Batmobiles' were left-hand drive so all parts from the rear wing to the left-hand drive conversion were sourced from BMW Germany. Body full restored. Alloy panels
• Powered by an M30 3.5-litre engine, connected to a dog-leg ZF five-speed gearbox in the interests of reliability
• This delightful and practical CS Lightweight presents superbly in the metal

Whenever the conversation turns to BMW's elegant coupes of the early seventies, the car that sticks in everyone's memory is undoubtedly the lightweight 3.0-litre CSL Group 2 'homologation special', affectionately known as the 'Batmobile' on account of its similarity to the daily transport of the 'Caped Crusader'. Developed at Stuttgart University and used from mid-1973 onwards, the 'Batmobile' aerodynamic package consisted of a front chin spoiler, large rear wing, a rooftop wing, and front wing fins. The body was made from thinner steel, the boot, door and bonnet from aluminium, and the side windows were perspex. Interestingly all these 'sticky-out' bits were illegal for road use in Germany, so the wings were left in the boot for final installation by the supplying dealer. Thus equipped, the CSLs had a very successful few years in European Touring Car racing, all well-documented elsewhere.

This delightful 'Batmobile Homage' has been lovingly restored and rebuilt over a 10 year period by a late BMW enthusiast who always wanted a CSL and a Batmobile. Unusually, using a right-hand drive CSL as a basis, he set about creating this amazing Batmobile Homage with help from Soper BMW of Lincoln and, as all of the original Batmobiles were left-hand drive, the steering wheel was swapped from side to side utilising parts sourced from BMW Germany. As he planned to keep the car at his holiday home on the continent, the conversion was quite advantageous.

Close friendships with key figures within BMW Motorsport facilitated the purchase of many genuine 'Batmobile' parts, and, with the necessity of trouble-free motoring in warmer climes, a less highly-strung, M30 3.5-litre engine was sourced and mated to a traditional ZF 'dog-leg', five-speed gearbox. Every aspect of the car's mechanics and electrics were given the same consideration and stripped, checked and replaced as needed as was the suspension, the braking system, all pipework, fuel lines, wiring and everything else needed during its 10-year, bare metal restoration, however, importantly our vendor informs us that all the original alloy panels are still as per manufacture. Those of us that have had the experience of a head-turning sixties or seventies classic that has become completely recalcitrant on a hot day and refuses to move from the spot where it has just expired, turning heads for the wrong reason, have dreamt of owning something similar in terms of looks and style but that actually starts and stops and doesn't piddle its life-supporting fluids on to the road. The man who built this car has achieved just that. An iconic be-winged Batmobile with bomb-proof later mechanicals and the confidence of a 10-year rebuild.

Only 1,500 miles have been completed since all the hard work and the result of all this is a great driving, good looking example of one of Munich's greats. Delightful and practical, this CS Lightweight presents superbly in the metal and the vendor has generously included the cherished plate '10 BRJ' in the sale. You wouldn't be able to restore this car to this standard for anywhere near the guide price, so we certainly do recommend booking an appointment to take a closer look for yourself.