1974 BMW 3.0 CSi (E9) - Manual

The post-war renaissance of BMW began in earnest in the 1960s with the introduction of two pivotal models, the compact 02-Series - the forerunner to the huge-selling 3-Series - and a larger, visually striking CS Sports Coupé, referred to internally as the E9, which evolved to become the 3.0 CSi, the car offered here. With its beautiful lines, purposeful stance and pillarless doors, styled by famed German coachbuilder Karmann, the CS grabbed instant attention. Powered by a superbly-engineered straight-six, 3-litre engine, this fast, sharp-handling cruiser had performance to match its looks. BMW now had a new face look that would come to define the company's image for the rest of the century. The E9 Coupé is perhaps the only sporting two-door of its era that offered style, pace and build quality to rival the best of British and the exotica of Italy, without being too expensive.

In 1971, the 3.0 CS made its debut in the UK, followed swiftly by the introduction of the more powerful 3.0 CSi fuel-injected version, becoming BMW's first 200bhp plus machine, giving it real on the road punch and reputedly capable of 0-60mph in 7.5 seconds and 139mph. Interestingly, the 3.0 CSi is rarer in right-hand drive, manual transmission configuration than the much feted 3.0 CSL, with just over 400 being made between the ‘226’ and ‘435’ series. In recent years, sale prices of its big brother, the legendary 'CSL' have dramatically risen and, not unnaturally, the CSi has begun to follow. In part, perhaps due to the infrequency that these cars are actually seen on British roads, with the BMW Club UK estimating that as few as 120 right-hand drive examples of the 3.0 CSi have survived to the present day.

This car, one of some 200 early-series cars built in right-hand drive, was registered on 3rd September 1974 to its first owner in Surrey. With some five owners in between, the current keeper was registered on 30th September 2003, according to the accompanying V5C. Online MOT records show the odometer reading as 24,708 miles on 14th March 2007 and, after a decade off the road, the car flew through an MOT on 10th May 2017 at 26,654 miles. Stripped back to its bare shell and subject to an extensive programme of cosmetic and mechanical restoration, the photographic records on file document the work.

Presenting beautifully today in Fjord Blue Metallic with a black leather interior, the odometer reading was 26,689 miles at the time of cataloguing. With today’s classic car market favouring rarity, style and performance, we can think of no other contemporary that comes close to this car at this estimate. Rarer and better appointed than the Escort RS 2000, sportier than the Mercedes SLC and with more power than Porsche's 911 from the period, it's as rare as the equivalent exotica of the period but without the high maintenance histrionics. The 3.0 CSi is not just a stylish coupé.

, but a true driver’s car, and represents real value.