Fantasy Junction

Description

1972 BMW 3.0 CS Coupe
s/n 2250293
White with Black Interior

Thanks to the financial stability provided Neue Klasse cars (the most well-known of which is the 2002), BMW was able to return to making larger cars in the late 1960’s. Available as both sedans (known as the Bavaria in the United States), and elegant pillarless coupes, these large six-cylinder cars are both handsome and robust. They were available in a number of configurations in terms of engine size, fuel delivery, and transmission type.

Although the competition version, the CSL, was quite successful, the street cars were always oriented more toward grand touring than road-burning performance. This car, however, has seen extensive upgrading that has transformed it into a genuinely fast car that retains the elegance of the E9 Coupe with virtually stock appearance. In 1994, the car was completely disassembled and repainted, with all suspension, interior, glass, doors, wiring, and driveline removed. The car was built up in stages over the following ten years bythe car’s then owner, a technician at BMW specialist Moran Motorsport. At this time, he replaced the carbureted engine with a specially built 3.0 liter M30 L-Jetronic fuel-injected engine from a 1977 530i. Twin turbochargers were fitted as well, along with 5-speed ZF manual transmission, short shifter, heavy duty clutch, limited slip differential, and suspension upgrades including larger sway bars. The interior was redone in 2004, including seat leather, carpets, wood, dash pad, headliner, and door panels.

The car has seen additional sorting in 2008-2009, including rebuilt turbos, and fabrication of a complete custom stainless steel exhaust system, relocating the air intake behind the headlamps with a high capacity K&N air filter, upgraded fuel pressure regulator and blow off valve, and auxiliary cooling fan. The car retains its air conditioning and throughout the build, original fasteners and brackets were employed wherever possible. 15,000 miles have been logged since the restoration.

The car remains in excellent condition overall, with very good quality paint over straight panels. These cars are prone to rust and this example is wonderfully solid with no significant corrosion, including usual problem areas such as the front shock towers, firewall visible inside the glove box, and floor pans. The paint is in excellent shape, with no major signs of wear, just a handful of small marks consistent with a few thousand miles of use, such as door edge chips. The chrome is very good to excellent throughout, with no significant pitting, and minor scratches in selected areas. The glass and lights are excellent, with Cibié main beams and Hella low beams. The windscreen has a few pin marks from road use but is excellent overall. The car sits on 17-inch OEM BMW alloy wheels from an E39 generation 540i Sport, which are in good shape with a few areas of curbing.

The interior is excellent as well, with virtually unworn leather on both front and rear seats. The carpets are excellent, and the headliner is in very good shape as well. The car retains its Golde manual sunroof and is also equipped with manual front windows. The AC blows cold. The dashboard is excellent as is the wood. The instruments and switches are in very good shape, quite possibly unrestored.

The engine compartment shows a very sanitary and professional installation of the turbochargers, which feed a Pfaff manifold and plumbing. The valve cover has been polished and the engine is very clean overall, not to show standards but nicer than a daily driven car.

The trunk appears essentially unrestored with original plastics and mats in good shape. The tool kit is present and mostly complete. The spare tire well has excellent integrity and the car comes with a spare wood Nardi steering wheel and a few other miscellaneous items.

The car drives well, feeling surprisingly modern. The gearbox has a short throw with a hefty and reassuring feel, while the clutch is positive and feels more than up to dealing with the ample power and torque supplied by the motor, which is well tuned and sounds fantastic. The car is quite quick and the chassis is composed and feels willing and sporting. The increased grip and more performance oriented suspension make the car surprisingly capable yet still comfortable. It is worth noting that there is a vibration that appears to be in the driveline and can be noted in a narrow speed range around 30mph. It is not detectable at low speeds and disappears once the car’s speed increases.

This is an extraordinary opportunity to acquire a high performance sleeper in an elegant and understated package. Structurally excellent, cosmetically attractive, and mechanically dialed, this car effectively straddles the vintage aesthetic of the elegant CS with a tremendous boost in performance that is as sure to please its next enthusiastic owner as it is to surprise unsuspecting motorists who expect 40 year old performance from this understated white coupe.

The above vehicle information is complete and accurate to the best of our knowledge at the time it is posted to this website. Corrections or additional information is always appreciated. All advertised prices exclude government fees and taxes, any finance charges, any dealer document preparation charge, and any emission testing charge. Vehicles are subject to prior sale. All advertised to be true but not guaranteed. We assume no liability for errors or omissions.

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Fantasy Junction  •  510-653-7555  •  1145 Park Ave, Emeryville, CA 94608