1973 BMW 3.0 CSL Group 2

For the 1973 season, BMW to built a special, lighter version of the E9 known as the 3.0 CSL Coupé, with panelled aluminium bodywork. The use of injection, and a small increase in capacity, took basic engine-power to 206bhp. The highly prepared Group 2 racing versions, with elaborate aerodynamic fittings, earned countless victories, including two wins at the Le Mans 24 Hours – in the Special Tourism class in 1973 and 1974.

When sold from new, the CSL wasn’t fitted with the the rear wing, nor the chrome flares. Instead these were included in the trunk of the car to be optionally fitted by the dealer or the car’s first owner.

Because of the relative ease of racing teams to acquire a 3.0 CSL or a standard E9 2800 and upgrade it, many race cars were built up from standard road cars for Group 2 racing.