1973 BMW 'CSL Batmobile' 3.5-Litre FIA

On offer here is a very well built example of BMW's legendary 1970s E9 Coupé with an estimate that's a fraction of its build cost. Its private owner acquired a left-hand drive 1973 3.0CS road car with a V5C during the COVID lockdown period and set about building the very best FIA 'Group 2' BMW ‘Batmobile’-specification he could and the results are impressive. Marque experts, Laranca Engineering, who have built and run many CSLs in recent decades, were used for technical assistance throughout the project and the car was completed in 2022, with only test miles and dyno-time since.

FIA HTP papers were issued once the build was completed (GB12959) and are valid until 31st December 2031. The remarkable specification is detailed below:

• Roll-cage FIA and MSA Certificate included. Full chassis set up by Laranca Engineering
• Laranca 3.5-litre race engine, billet dry-sump system, all their top spec components including modifying a brand-new BMW cylinder head
• Dyno sheet included - 384bhp. Brand new slide throttle assembly and fully rebuilt race Kugelfisher pump (the fuel injection system alone cost in excess of £20,000)
• Getrag 265 gearbox built to race specification by Laranca Engineering. Laranca race spec differential, with high-grade output shafts and flanges
• Fully plumbed-in diff cooler pump, and rear wheel arch-mounted radiator. These modifications are expensive but essential for reliability in endurance events
• Brand new, top-specification braking system with calculations by BG Developments (AP Racing UK). New discs, bells and callipers, all period correct AP CP 2270 & CP 2271 calipers. Bias pedal box, adjustable from driving seat
• 120-litre ATL bag tank in alloy container. Special billet alloy top plate, swirl pot etc. Note bladder will need either replacing or re-certification, new bladder readily available (new cost c.£800)
• Specially made heated windscreen
• Top specification suspension, Laranca Engineering struts and coil-overs, dynamically set, fully adjustable anti-roll bars with calculations and easily adjusted with slot-in various anti-roll bar diameters. Fully re-engineered rear suspension, reinforced and modified for full adjustment using spherical joints
• Front subframe fully reinforced and modified to include conversion to steering rack. Aircraft-grade alloy control arms, spherical joints with full adjustability
• Complete body restoration by Normandale starting with stripped and blasted shell, full rotisserie build
• Fully lightened and strengthened according to homologation. Correct homologated 1975 ‘box arch' body kit. Handmade aluminium bonnet and boot, aluminium door skins. Painted in BMW racing colours, note all stripes are painted on (not transfers) - full photographic record of shell preparation
• The car currently has period correct side exiting exhaust (unsilenced) however, the shell was built with potential future noise restrictions in mind so there is space to add full silencers without altering looks or ground clearance etc. A fully silenced system can be added without making any modifications to the shell or floor
• Bespoke racing wiring harness with full range of Stack instruments, relays, circuit breakers, Lambda sensors fitted with fuel/ air gauges. Plumbed in OMP electric fire suppression system, FIA-approved, alloy bottle
• New CNC machined billet centre split-rim wheels with almost new Avon slicks (test miles only)
• MOMO steering wheel, lightweight flock sprayed dash. Note seat & belts date expired
• So many special details, alloy rad and coolers, numerous CNC machined items
• There are a considerable number of spares included with the car.

To replicate this car to this standard would cost way in excess of £200,000 today and take many hours of hard work. Combine this with the fact that this car with its FIA papers offers access into some of the best historic motorsport in the world today makes this a really interesting proposition, and we highly recommend that interested parties come and see this simply remarkable 'Batmobile' for themselves.