Highlights

Very rare right-hand drive, manual example
One of around 207 ever made!
Subject to a full bare metal restoration in previous ownership
Beautifully presented and in excellent overall condition
Extensive photographic record detailing all restoration work
Painstakingly restored leather interior
In very healthy mechanical order
Video of car & cold start included at the bottom of the listing

The Appeal

Under the skilful command of Design Chief Wilhelm Hofmeister, BMW was scoring hit after hit with their range of saloons and sports coupés during the late 1960s and early ‘70s. BMW turned to renowned coachbuilder Karmann to manufacture bodies for their E9 CS which immediately proved immensely popular. The 3.0-litre version was released in 1971 and was later given electronic fuel injection. The 3.0 CSi was deemed more than worthy of its hefty price tag, with remarkable performance, utterly gorgeous styling and luxurious interiors making it a fabulous GT.

Here we have a comprehensively restored and beautifully presented right-hand drive example dating from 1974. The previous keeper, who owned it for twenty years, carried out a comprehensive bare metal restoration which also included renovating the exterior and reconditioning the mechanicals. An extensive photographic of the restoration work accompanies the car, as does documented service history dating back to 2001. If you’re looking for an exemplary example of one of the best ‘70s grand tourers ever produced, this BMW will certainly fulfil your requirements.

The History and Paperwork

Seven former keepers recorded by the DVLA
V5C present
MOT valid until June 2024 with no advisories - although exempt
Substantial history file containing old MOT certificates and numerous invoices from marque specialists including Munich Legends
Invoices from BM Workshops detail the extent of the restoration work
A printed photographic record of the restoration work is included
Documented service history dates back to 2001 - approximately 18,000 miles ago
The last service is dated June 2023
The vendor informs us that this CSi is one of some 200 early cars built in right-hand drive with a manual gearbox
It was registered on 3rd September 1974 to its first owner in Surrey
The previous keeper is recorded as acquiring the car on 30th September 2003
In present ownership since May 2023
After a decade off the road, the car passed through an MOT with no advisories on 10th May 2017 at 26,654 miles
Brake master unit and both brake servos have just been replaced with fully reconditioned units costing the vendor £2,000 giving buyers yet ever more confidence that this car can be got in and enjoyed!

The Interior

Painstakingly restored during the restoration
Remains in excellent overall order
Black leather upholstery
Moto-Lita wood-rimmed sports steering wheel
Stunning wooden dashboard with satin finish
No radio
Electric windows in full working order
No cracks nor discolouration to the woodwork or plastic
All the upholstery is in great condition
Where the headlining meets the driver’s door there is a small area where the fabric has degraded, but this is the only notable imperfection
The carpeting and boot are both in excellent order
Little in the way of wear to the controls and switchgear
All the instrumentation presents well and reads clearly
Boot lid mounted tool kit in place and in nice condition

A great part of the E9’s success has to be attributed to its excellent interior. These coupés were destined to spend long periods touring continental Europe and so passenger comfort was paramount. In true BMW fashion, everything looks, feels and indeed is of the utmost quality. We’re particularly fond of the wooden dashboard, which boasts some impressive compound curves and has a pleasant satin finish. All the interior trim is in fine condition, as is the black leather upholstery. Everything works as it should, there’s no damage or excessive wear and the cabin is very well presented.

The Exterior

Distinctive Hoffmeister details such as the rear window kink
‘Sharknose’ front end with prominent ‘kidney grille’
Bodywork by Karmann
Previously subject to a full bare metal bodywork restoration
No damage or corrosion to be seen
Impeccably presented underneath
Fabulous colour
Period-correct alloys wheels
Tyres of mixed manufacture
Excellent chromework

It would be remiss not to mention this car’s irrefutable elegance. Back in 1974, it looked expensive. Indeed, it was expensive; costing more in Britain at the time than the flagship offerings from Aston Martin or Jensen. Hoffmeister’s styling cues are all over this car. It’s a lesson in pure design and one of BMW’s greatest hits.

This one is in fabulous order, having been treated to a full bare metal restoration. The metallic blue paintwork is in fantastic order and the only blemish the vendor identifies is a slight imperfection where one of the doors meets the window trim. This is hardly noticeable and therefore we think not needing rectification. Similarly, the vendor identifies a superficial blemish on the near side rear wing, but there is no dent and again it is not easy to see.

The bodywork is immensely straight, devoid of corrosion and especially smart underneath. All the trim is in fine order, with bright chrome, smart glass and well preserved light lenses. The alloy wheels - quite the accessory in 1974 - present very well for their age.

The Mechanics

3.0-litre straight-six petrol engine
Electronic fuel injection
Four-speed manual gearbox
Disc brakes front and rear
Nicely presented under the bonnet
Last serviced in June 2023
Reportedly driving brilliantly
Various hoses have been replaced in recent years
Tuned and running exactly as it should

BMW described the E9 CS as a “trans-Continental tourer that is perfectly tractable in city traffic” and contemporary reviews heartily concurred. The athleticism of its straight-six was praised most highly and the car was deemed to have been very soundly engineered in its entirety.

This one boasts an exceedingly exciting specification; with the electronically fuel injected version of the 3.0-litre l6 and a manual gearbox. Following a full mechanical overhaul during the restoration, we understand that the engine, gearbox and brakes all perform exactly as they should. The car has been regularly serviced to date, and remains in full working order. Although exempt, it has been MOT tested which further proves its worthiness for the road.

Summary

Every now and then you see a classic which makes you stop in your tracks and stare. This CSi coupé is a case in point. Its timeless elegance is a credit to its pure design and the fantastic engine makes it one of the most enjoyable classic GTs to drive. If you’d like to add something truly magnificent to your collection, this is the car for you.

Notice to bidders

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