THIS '74 BMW 3.0 CSL BATMOBILE WAS ONCE OWNED BY JOACHIM STUCK - AND IT'S FOR SALE.
The year 1973 marked a significant milestone for BMW in motorsport, as the German automaker not only powered Jean-Pierre Jarier to victory in the European Formula 2 Championship but also captured the European Touring Car Championship with the now-iconic 3.0 CSL, affectionately dubbed the 'Batmobile'. It was a car that would forever etch itself into the annals of racing history. The 3.0 CSL, an evolution of the 2800CS coupé, stood out as a creative solution to the strict homologation regulations of the Group 2 racing class. By stripping away unnecessary trim, employing thinner steel, and using lightweight materials like aluminium and Perspex, BMW engineers managed to reduce the car’s weight by an impressive 136 kilograms, making the CSL truly “Leicht.” This lightweight structure was paired with a 206bhp engine for the road-going version while racing versions of the CSL boasted well over 300 horsepower. By 1973, BMW had upped the ante with the introduction of a 3.2-litre engine, further enhancing the CSL’s performance. It was during this time that the now-legendary ‘Batmobile’ aerodynamic package was developed at Stuttgart University, complete with a front chin spoiler and an imposing rear wing, although these features were initially deemed illegal for road use in Germany. The aerodynamic components would come neatly packaged in the trunk, waiting for installation after the car left the showroom floor. With these enhancements, the CSL Batmobile became a force to be reckoned with on the track, defeating its rival, the Ford Capri RS2600, and securing the 1973 European Touring Car Championship. Driven by legends like Toine Hezemans and Dieter Quester, the CSL’s dominance continued well into the mid-1970s, winning five consecutive European Touring Car Championships between 1975 and 1979. Among the rare and revered CSLs produced between 1972 and 1975, only 57 were part of the second series, making them particularly sought after.
One such car, chassis number ‘4355031’, was delivered new on July 11, 1974. According to BMW factory records, this car was built as an M Division test vehicle—a true 'Testwagen M GmbH'. Its first registered owner was none other than Hans-Joachim Stuck, a famed BMW works driver whose airborne photograph during the Nürburgring 6 Hours became an enduring motorsport image. Stuck, who had a deep connection to the car, once described it as "a piece of myself." This particular CSL later passed into the hands of Christian Neureuther, a member of the West German Olympic ski team and husband to world champion skier Rosi Mittermeier. Neureuther, a close friend of Stuck, acquired the car via his sponsor from Jochen Neerpasch, head of BMW Motorsport GmbH. In 1978, the car changed hands once again, this time being sold to Joseph Zahler, who kept it until 1995. World-renowned CSL expert Yannick Bernat purchased the car next, commissioning a full restoration by Dieter Toegel. The restoration saw the Batmobile fitted with a period-correct Alpina B2 engine—a factory option in the 1970s—boosting output to 260bhp. Bernat's efforts ensured that the CSL retained its authenticity, with original BMW parts, including the rare thin-gauge alloy body panels, used throughout the restoration. The car’s journey continued in 2005 when it was acquired by UK-based Tony Badenoch, who exhibited the CSL at prestigious events like the Villa d'Este Concours d'Elegance in 2006. By 2010, the Batmobile had found a new owner, who continued to cherish and maintain the car to the highest standards. Significant restoration work was completed in 2017, with invoices totalling £18,000 documenting the process. With a rich history that includes its time as an M Division test vehicle, associations with Hans-Joachim Stuck and Christian Neureuther, and meticulous restoration by some of the world’s top CSL specialists, this 3.0 CSL Batmobile is a rare and highly desirable piece of BMW’s racing heritage. The car comes complete with a substantial history file, including original TüV documents, restoration records, and correspondence detailing its unique past. I’ve been lucky enough to see and drive in one of these, and I had no idea of their value. I mean yeah, I knew it would be expensive, and this one is worth a little more thanks to the amazing provenance, but at the far end of estimates, this thing is pegged to pull in as much as R7,800,000.
Take a look at the YouTube video from a few years back where the chaps at BWM Group Classic take a closer look at one of these rare and iconic Batmobile CSLs. Super rare to spot, even rarer to have a drive in one, like I had once: Inside BMW Group Classic - the BMW 3.0 CSL ‘Batmobile’ (E9) | BMW Group Classic
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