1971 BMW 3.0 CSL E9 Group 2
- Colour
- BMW Motorsport stripes livery
Chassis 2211343 is one of two prototype BMW E9s delivered to Broadspeed in September 1971 for Group 2 development, and the only one built to full CSL specification. Stiffened and lightened with Cooper Car Company input, it was tested by John Fitzpatrick, Dieter Quester, and Niki Lauda before racing in the 1972 European Touring Car Championship. It is believed to be the first BMW to wear the now-iconic Motorsport tricolour striping, and subsequently raced in the United States under the Vasek Polak team before competing at the 2002 Le Mans Classic.
Ownership
- —Auction saleEstimate €500,000 – €650,000
- 1971-09-01 → 1973-06-01Factory deliveryBroadspeedpartial documentation
One of two E9 prototypes delivered under a development agreement with BMW; only this chassis was built to full CSL specification with Cooper Car Company involvement. After the BMW contract ended, Broadspeed continued developing and racing the car.
- 1973-06-01 →Private saleVasek Polak teampartial documentation
California-based racing outfit based in Hermosa Beach; campaigned the car with Bruce Ponder driving, achieving a race win at Riverside in 1974.
- 1999 → 2008Acquisition unknownSwedish owner based in Malmoepartial documentation
Car relocated to Malmoe, Sweden, received FIA historic papers during this period, and was entered in the 2002 Le Mans Classic.
- 2008 →Private saleGermany-based consignorpartial documentation
Competition
- 1972-04-01European Touring Car Championship1972 Salzburgring ETCC roundDriver: John Fitzpatrick3rd overall, leading BMW finisher
Race held in snowy conditions; Fitzpatrick was the highest-placed BMW driver at the event.
- 1974Riverside raceDriver: Bruce Ponder1st
Driven by BMW Service Advisor Bruce Ponder under the Vasek Polak team banner.
- 20022002 Le Mans Classic
Car competed with FIA historic papers in place; entered while under Swedish ownership.
- —Winter testing at Paul RicardDriver: John FitzpatrickFailed to beat Capri benchmark times
Fitzpatrick and BMW works driver Dieter Quester both took part; the car did not meet the contractual speed target versus Ford's Capri, ending the BMW-Broadspeed agreement.
- —Testing at SilverstoneDriver: Niki Lauda
Lauda reportedly praised the CSL, likening it favourably to his contemporary Formula 2 machinery; covered in the July 1972 edition of Motor Sport Magazine.
Maintenance & restoration
- 1971ModificationBroadspeed
Car was structurally stiffened and fitted with lightweight aluminium doors, bonnet, and boot lid; gas-filled Bilstein dampers installed. Work carried out with input from the Cooper Car Company to bring the car to CSL specification.
Cooper Car Company provided engineering input during the conversion.
- 1972BodyworkBMW
Car returned to the BMW factory in Munich and repainted with the now-famous BMW Motorsport tricolour striping; believed to be the first BMW finished in this livery.
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