I had to watch this video, not just because it is from one of my favourite channels, but because it takes me back to 1976 when I was working as an apprentice in the local Ferrari/Porsches/Mercedes dealer. Yes, it was my dream job at the time, straight from school into a workshop full of my hero cars. I know, it's a tough life. Anyway, we were all busy doing stuff to 308s or 911s or 450sls when the owner's son drives into the worlshop with his newly acquired CSL. It went very quiet for a minute then everyone was around the car demanding a test drive. He'd bought it in for a check over and a service which, as I remember took several days and the assistance of many technicians. Not sure what the issue was but it needed everyone to help and test the car to make sure it was finally good enough for the owner's son. Strange, normally we were very good at carrying out our work, hhmmm!
The M30 straight six is a wonderful engine. I had an E34 535i Sport and although not anywhere near as powerful as modern engines it's torque was very impressive and a delight to drive. I still miss that car!
Ed, the car brings back an early and embarrassing memory of showing off when in a burst of hubris I caught a curb at speed sideways owned by a solicitor friend's CSL and rolled it onto its side. It was rolled back onto its wheels with thankfully not with write-off damage. I cringe at the thought, but it did teach me a vital lesson of not to mix showing off with a lack of experience! But a great video as usual, Ed, full of lengthy research, professional scripting and editing, fascinating and educative facts, but sad you could not give it some wheelie that produces your infectious smile at the pleasure of controlled boot! But I understand why, and it it keeps your excellent weekly presentations going to give pleasure and information. Rob
A shame you didn’t get to drive it Ed, or at least be able to let us hear that engine, but I quite understand why. I’m sure it’s probably worth some stratospheric amount of money. Sad that many cars are so valuable they can’t really be used for what they were created for. Still, to think now BMW give us the likes of the XM, a performance SUV weighing 2695kg… Well, at least they still make coupés, such as what I guess is this models great, great grandson or some such, the M8. I know it’s different times, but at 2 tonnes it’s hardly what you’d call licht…
I remember as a teenager, my uncle ran a secondhand car lot in Southampton. He would very often get his hands on some great cars. I remember a Lotus Cortina and a Ferrari Dino to name a couple but when I saw him with a silver 3.0 CSi.....it was a show stopper!! I also remember once being in it and tootling down the main high street in 4th gear doing 30mph and him saying that same gear would do 140mph if it was pushed hard through the gearbox!
Hi Ed, I was already well into performance cars in the early seventies and already a subscriber to “Car & Car Conversions” monthly magazine at that time. ( in fact it was partly responsible for my initial career in race and rally engine development). However, despite my utter love for E-types and Aston Martins, the 2002 and 3.0 CSL and CSi german cars completely stole my guilty heart.
The 1960s was the greatest decade for automotive design. There are so many cars, from so many companies, in so many countries, that I would love to have. As an American I've always been envious of the cars available in Europe that were never available here in the States. The ones we were able to get were usually watered down and altered in style to adhere to our regulations. So to have a Euro-spec car from the 60s would be amazing
Thanks Ed, a great video. I liked the style of the 3.0CSL when I first saw it in motoring press back when they were new. I have owned a BMW but this was always my favourite.
I love Minis Metros, and CSLs like you 😂 My favourite BM definitely otherwise I'm not a big fan. I saw them race at Zandfort vs the Capris and the XJCs. A marvelous time in European Touring Car history.. Thank you for a great review. Awsome.. Stay independant you're very special imo..
Great content Ed. Indeed, the M30 is a wonderful engine, It’s a pity you couldn’t experience it, although I understand why. These cars are insanely expensive…
nice one Ed. you're digging up cars from my childhood bedroom wall again. a white race 3.0 CSL proudly hung next to a yellow Countach and shared space with a 911 Turbo and (Ferrari) Dino MK1. amusingly the original M project was a BMW-Lamborghini, which ultimately became the E26 M1
Man, too sad that the new BMW design tries (and fails) to recreate this golden era of german design. The new cars have nothing traditional and should have been kept understated. These old BMWs had an actual spirit of a thriving company instead of a decaying husk of its former self.
I'm old enough to remember seeing a few of these on the road back in the day. Lovely car. BMW fanatic. Got a pristine 330ci m sport with every option full main dealer history. Buying an aF80M3 next spring.
Iconic car, just drop dead gorgeous. Pity it was assembled by Karmann as everything they were entrusted to build for numerous manufacturers rusted away.
Another top job Ed. Very well researched and explained in a manner that even I can understand. The big surprise for me wasn't the way the CSL found success on the track but that it played catch up with Ford with BMW using a base car that was just built for conversion to touring car racing (same with Ford but the Capri might have been a better starting point). Many thanks for sharing.
Among all that blithering Englishness (which I occasionally find to be somewhat charming) the one thing that completely caught my eye as being beautiful (other than the nifty design in general, of course) on the BMW featured within this video is that lovely polished interior woodwork that I can't imagine having been done in any other way than by someone's handwork and for it not to have even been mentioned by the presenter completely baffles me. I cannot possibly be alone in this sentiment. Unless I missed something (always a possibility) they had to create roadgoing versions in order to go racing and I love that the Bavarian decision makers allowed that one costly extravagance to make its way into production. BMWs were so friggin' cool back then. I'm already subscribed but I hope this cat will mention more of this sort of thing henceforth. Bad miss, dude.
I mean, I did. But regardless, it’s a wood dash. If it didn’t have one, hailing from this era, I’d be surprised. It’s barely noteworthy at the best of times.
The only thing I don't personally like about this car is the chrome around the wheel arches. It's the only thing that doesn't seem to fit with the entirety of the car. But that being said. I would definitely drive it as is without complaint😊
A very beautiful car. Remove the stickers and the ugly rear wing and we have a timeless beauty. A car light years from today's grotesque and ugly creations. Today's design can't even be blamed on AI, just poor taste both on the part of BMW and those who buy today's vomit from Bavaria.
The most beautiful BMW ever produced in my opinion. Especially when it wears its Batmobile widebody kit.
That BMW is an art piece, outstandingly beautiful.
I had to watch this video, not just because it is from one of my favourite channels, but because it takes me back to 1976 when I was working as an apprentice in the local Ferrari/Porsches/Mercedes dealer. Yes, it was my dream job at the time, straight from school into a workshop full of my hero cars. I know, it's a tough life. Anyway, we were all busy doing stuff to 308s or 911s or 450sls when the owner's son drives into the worlshop with his newly acquired CSL. It went very quiet for a minute then everyone was around the car demanding a test drive. He'd bought it in for a check over and a service which, as I remember took several days and the assistance of many technicians. Not sure what the issue was but it needed everyone to help and test the car to make sure it was finally good enough for the owner's son. Strange, normally we were very good at carrying out our work, hhmmm!
Excellent. The full story in such detail that no one can match.
The M30 straight six is a wonderful engine. I had an E34 535i Sport and although not anywhere near as powerful as modern engines it's torque was very impressive and a delight to drive. I still miss that car!
Had the same...a diamond black manual ,best cars on the road in 1990,wish I still had it.....
Ed, the car brings back an early and embarrassing memory of showing off when in a burst of hubris I caught a curb at speed sideways owned by a solicitor friend's CSL and rolled it onto its side. It was rolled back onto its wheels with thankfully not with write-off damage. I cringe at the thought, but it did teach me a vital lesson of not to mix showing off with a lack of experience! But a great video as usual, Ed, full of lengthy research, professional scripting and editing, fascinating and educative facts, but sad you could not give it some wheelie that produces your infectious smile at the pleasure of controlled boot! But I understand why, and it it keeps your excellent weekly presentations going to give pleasure and information. Rob
I like the way you mention your mate was a solicitor .... does that scare you to this day?
A shame you didn’t get to drive it Ed, or at least be able to let us hear that engine, but I quite understand why. I’m sure it’s probably worth some stratospheric amount of money. Sad that many cars are so valuable they can’t really be used for what they were created for. Still, to think now BMW give us the likes of the XM, a performance SUV weighing 2695kg… Well, at least they still make coupés, such as what I guess is this models great, great grandson or some such, the M8. I know it’s different times, but at 2 tonnes it’s hardly what you’d call licht…
Loved this series of Beamers back in the day - compared to everything else on the road, they were eye-wateringly beautiful. Loved the big saloons.
They are something to behold. A shame, in my view, that the tribute car from a couple of years ago was so ugly in comparison.
that is what you call a BMW ED
I remember as a teenager, my uncle ran a secondhand car lot in Southampton. He would very often get his hands on some great cars. I remember a Lotus Cortina and a Ferrari Dino to name a couple but when I saw him with a silver 3.0 CSi.....it was a show stopper!!
I also remember once being in it and tootling down the main high street in 4th gear doing 30mph and him saying that same gear would do 140mph if it was pushed hard through the gearbox!
What a timeless shape and design, and i absolutely love the colour and livery
This is a beautiful car, and these old Bimmers look so much better than the modern ones.
Hi Ed, I was already well into performance cars in the early seventies and already a subscriber to “Car & Car Conversions” monthly magazine at that time. ( in fact it was partly responsible for my initial career in race and rally engine development). However, despite my utter love for E-types and Aston Martins, the 2002 and 3.0 CSL and CSi german cars completely stole my guilty heart.
The 1960s was the greatest decade for automotive design. There are so many cars, from so many companies, in so many countries, that I would love to have. As an American I've always been envious of the cars available in Europe that were never available here in the States. The ones we were able to get were usually watered down and altered in style to adhere to our regulations. So to have a Euro-spec car from the 60s would be amazing
Thanks Ed, a great video. I liked the style of the 3.0CSL when I first saw it in motoring press back when they were new. I have owned a BMW but this was always my favourite.
I love Minis Metros, and CSLs like you 😂 My favourite BM definitely otherwise I'm not a big fan. I saw them race at Zandfort vs the Capris and the XJCs. A marvelous time in European Touring Car history.. Thank you for a great review. Awsome.. Stay independant you're very special imo..
My bro had a 530 heavily modified in the 80s. A beast
I saw one at the Glasgow motor show in 1971. The Salesmen claimed they had nothing to sell.
Great content Ed.
Indeed, the M30 is a wonderful engine,
It’s a pity you couldn’t experience it, although I understand why.
These cars are insanely expensive…
nice one Ed. you're digging up cars from my childhood bedroom wall again. a white race 3.0 CSL proudly hung next to a yellow Countach and shared space with a 911 Turbo and (Ferrari) Dino MK1. amusingly the original M project was a BMW-Lamborghini, which ultimately became the E26 M1
Brilliant video & explanation. Thanks Ed👍
Man, too sad that the new BMW design tries (and fails) to recreate this golden era of german design. The new cars have nothing traditional and should have been kept understated. These old BMWs had an actual spirit of a thriving company instead of a decaying husk of its former self.
A great video about a great racing/ performance car!!! Well done Ed!!
I'm old enough to remember seeing a few of these on the road back in the day. Lovely car. BMW fanatic. Got a pristine 330ci m sport with every option full main dealer history. Buying an aF80M3 next spring.
Great video Ed. 🙂
Lovely video. Excellently researched and presented as always!
Great film!
The bmw 3.0 csl. Was a super. Car in its day... With a big price tag
Superlative work as always, Ed!
Great Video - that and the M1 are my 2 fav BMWs.
❤❤❤❤❤❤amazing looking car.❤❤❤❤❤
These cars always pickled my brain as a kid as they were called 3.0 CSL but it had a 3.2litre engine
Bat Had 3.2 engine
Iconic car, just drop dead gorgeous.
Pity it was assembled by Karmann as everything they were entrusted to build for numerous manufacturers rusted away.
Bedankt
Thank you!
Another top job Ed. Very well researched and explained in a manner that even I can understand. The big surprise for me wasn't the way the CSL found success on the track but that it played catch up with Ford with BMW using a base car that was just built for conversion to touring car racing (same with Ford but the Capri might have been a better starting point). Many thanks for sharing.
Brilliant thanks great video ☘️
That interior…….Love a bit of Quality
The Leyland Princess 2200 HLS was much more Star trek
So much better looking than the awful things they produce today.
Among all that blithering Englishness (which I occasionally find to be somewhat charming) the one thing that completely caught my eye as being beautiful (other than the nifty design in general, of course) on the BMW featured within this video is that lovely polished interior woodwork that I can't imagine having been done in any other way than by someone's handwork and for it not to have even been mentioned by the presenter completely baffles me. I cannot possibly be alone in this sentiment. Unless I missed something (always a possibility) they had to create roadgoing versions in order to go racing and I love that the Bavarian decision makers allowed that one costly extravagance to make its way into production. BMWs were so friggin' cool back then. I'm already subscribed but I hope this cat will mention more of this sort of thing henceforth. Bad miss, dude.
I mean, I did. But regardless, it’s a wood dash. If it didn’t have one, hailing from this era, I’d be surprised. It’s barely noteworthy at the best of times.
The only thing I don't personally like about this car is the chrome around the wheel arches. It's the only thing that doesn't seem to fit with the entirety of the car. But that being said. I would definitely drive it as is without complaint😊
❤❤❤NESSUNO MAI, POTRÀ NASCONDERE... CIÒ... CHE... GIÀ... ESISTEVA!!! ❤❤❤.
Habe hier in Deutschland nie einen auf den Straßen gesehen ,nur bei Automobil Ausstellungen.
You just stood around that beautiful car and talked for 22 minutes
That’s kind of the point. Were you expecting us to sit in silence?
So this is how Alfa Romeo got their idea for the 155 Class II racing cars... And btw, what happened to that lovely 50 mm lens? 😉
hasn't Simon Le Bon got one of these?
If I could double like I would. 👍👍
Drive it
Send him £1000 for Ed's insurance he'd need!
👍😊👊💥
They are desirable, but check out the classic market, there is no way you could afford one.
Speak for yourself, Bill!
👍👍👍👍👍🌶😎😎😎😎😎
Ford Capri 2.6 RS Was the same concept
Soviet copied many Aspects and the M10 engine in their Moskwitch 412
Only 500 rhd csl cars produced.... Less. Than 200 left In the world from rust buckets to concourse condition...
A very beautiful car. Remove the stickers and the ugly rear wing and we have a timeless beauty.
A car light years from today's grotesque and ugly creations. Today's design can't even be blamed on AI, just poor taste both on the part of BMW and those who buy today's vomit from Bavaria.