The E9 series was first launched in 1968 when BMW unveiled the 2800 CS. In 1971, the 2800 CS was replaced by the 3.0 CS and 3.0 CSi, while in 1972, BMW also launched the 3.0 CSL - a homologation special built to make the car eligible for racing in the European Touring Car Championship. BMW built 1,265 3.0 CSL units, with only 429 of them being left-hand drive, but none of them were ever sold in the U.S. Which means chances of actually finding one listed for sale here are very limited. This is why you should take advantage of this chance offering on Bringatrailer: a gold-finished 1972 BMW 3.0 CSL with about 38,000 miles on the odometer and currently listed for $75,000.

What's special about this 1972 BMW 3.0 CSL?

This specific 3.0 CSL model is finished in a very cool gold paint combined with black beltline stripes and moldings and “3.0 CSL” graphics. Chrome is applied on the wheel well lips, the fender vents, and the front air dam. It rides on 14-inch Alpina wheels wrapped in Fulda Carat Assuro tires, sized 195/70 up front and 205/70 in the rear. The model is equipped with Bilstein shocks and disc brakes on all four wheels.

On the inside, the current owner replaced the standard seats with Scheel front bucket seats and a rear bench - both trimmed in black leather. A very nice contrasting effect is obtained by the wood trim on the dashboard, console, and doors. The steering wheel is wrapped in black leather and frames a classic instrument cluster that features a 240-km/h speedometer and a five-digit odometer that shows 61,000 kilometers (about 38,000 miles).

What powers the 1972 BMW 3.0 CSL?

When launched in 1972, the 3.0 CSL featured the same 2,986 cc inline-six engine as the 3.0 CS. Eventually, BMW offered a very small displacement update to 3,003 by increasing the engine bore by one-quarter of a millimeter. This latest version delivered 200 horsepower and 204 pound-feet of torque. All the power is sent to the rear wheels via a four-speed manual transmission.

How Much Does a BMW 3.0 CSL Cost?

This specific 1972 BMW 3.0 CSL was sold new in Germany. From there, it went to Sweden and from there to the U.S. The current seller bought it in early 2022 from BMW collector Peter Gleeson and listed it for sale in San Anselmo, California, with tools and European registration documents. The current bid is $75,000 and the auction ends in nine days. Just to make an idea of how exclusive the 3.0 CSL is, back in 2020, Bringatrailer managed to sell a 1972 BMW 3.0 CSL for $175,000!