Green with envy? Rare 1974 BMW Batmobile is up for auction

Award-winning 3.0 CSL coupe is one of just four examples to have been painted in the shocking Taiga Metallic bright green paintwork

BaT 1974 BMW CSL BatmobilePerformance BMWs will always be desirable, but some are even more appealing to collectors. 

This 1974 CSL ‘Batmobile’ coupe, currently available on auction website Bring a Trailer, is one of those cars.  

From the dramatic bodywork, to the eye-searing paint and retro-tastic interior, this special machine has true motorsport pedigree.

Homologation creation

BaT 1974 BMW CSL BatmobileFirst launched to the world in 1972, the 3.0 CSL was made to let BMW go racing in the European Touring Car Championship. 

Developed by what would become BMW M GmbH, engineers worked with Stuttgart University to create the aggressive body kit. The end result created the ‘Batmobile’ nickname, such were the dramatic fins, wings, and spoilers attached to the regular 3.0 CS coupe shape. 

Offered as an option for road cars, the extra aerodynamic goodies were reportedly supplied in the trunk of German models, to be fitted post-purchase. 

More power, less weight

BaT 1974 BMW CSL BatmobileAlong with the bodywork, BMW also worked to remove weight from the normal CS coupe. Thinner steel was used for the chassis, whilst the doors, hood, and trunk lid were all made from lightweight aluminum. 

Even perspex was used for the side windows, helping BMW shaving more than 300 lb from the normal production car. 

Factory power initially came from a 3.0-liter inline-six engine, producing 206 horsepower. Later cars would gain a larger 3.2-liter unit, and both made use of a four-speed manual transmission connected to a limited-slip differential.

Jolly green giant

BaT 1974 BMW CSL BatmobileBeneath the hood of this particular CSL is now a rebuilt 3.2-liter inline-six engine. Built by Terry Tinney Performance Motors of Livermore, California, only a few hundred miles are said to have been covered since installation.

The car was subject to a full bare metal respray in 2015, using the correct shade of the vivid Taiga Metallic green paint. Some bodywork was also replaced at the time to deal with rust issues. 

A BMW Classics Certificate confirms the car as being one of the four originally produced in Taiga Metallic, plus its build date of May 2nd 1974.

Keeping it retro

BaT 1974 BMW CSL BatmobileInside the CSL is a reminder of the homologation origins of this competition crusader. Fixed-back Scheel bucket seats are trimmed in black fabric, with Coco checkered mats cover the lightweight factory carpets.

An original Petri three-spoke steering wheel has been kept, as have the wooden trim inserts which cover the dashboard and door panels. 

Included in the dashboard is a tachometer that redlines at 6,400 rpm, along with an odometer showing 46,000 miles. The total mileage for the car is noted as being unknown. 

Green with envy

BaT 1974 BMW CSL BatmobileWith just over 1,200 examples of the CSL built between 1972 and 1975, this is already a rare machine. That only 57 ‘Series 2’ models – offered in different paint schemes – left the factory makes in even scarcer to own. 

Add in the fact this car won first place at the 2015 Legends of the Autobahn show, and took third-in-class at the 2019 San Marino Motor Classic, and it becomes a great example. 

Bidding on Bring a Trailer finishes on Thursday August 29th, and is likely to attract a substantial sum of money to capture this Incredible Hulk.

Related Articles

John Redfern
John Redfern
U.S. Editor with a love of all things Americana. Woodgrain-clad station wagons and ridiculous muscle cars a speciality.

LEAVE A REPLY

Please enter your comment!
Please enter your name here

Find a Car Review

Latest

Salon Privé London to host three days of champagne and supercars

Salon Privé London returns to the Royal Hospital in Chelsea next month, with special celebrations of McLaren and the Porsche 911 Turbo.

New Volkswagen ID.Buzz GTX gets 340hp and all-wheel drive

The retro-styled ID. Buzz people carrier is now offered with 340hp, making for an unlikely addition to Volkswagen’s sporty GTX range.

Kia EV9 is World Car of the Year 2024

The Kia EV9 is the latest pure electric car to be named World Car of the Year – and it also scooped the World Electric Vehicle 2024 prize