1972 BMW 3.0L CSL
The History
True mystery abounds the when and why of this BMW E9 3.0L CSL’s (Competition Sport Lightweight’s) arrival into Australia. It is believed to have come into a collection in Perth, WA, but no other information is known.
The first timestamp for this car didn’t arrive until it appeared in the Shannons Summer Auction in Melbourne, 2003/04. At that time, it was navy blue, and the hammer did fall, to Michael Stillwell. Stillwell’s intention was to develop the vehicle into a tarmac rally car, and indeed he did, racing across Rally Tasmania, Targa Tasmania, and Classic Adelaide events in the mid 2000’s.
Thereafter, and for almost the entirety of the next decade, the vehicle went into storage, and in a basement, no less!
In late 2017, Stillwell sold the vehicle to Bill Cutler, who then sold the vehicle again to current owner and custodian, Max Roberts. By this time, this CSL was bearing plenty of scars, not only of racings past, but of its unknown history pre-Australia. Max has a decision on his hands – to restore, or not to restore. After carefully considering and deliberating both options at length, he approached us, and in January of 2018, the project commenced.
A short while into repairs, a photo was taken by the owner whilst overseas and visiting an otherwise unremarkable car show. The photo was of a BMW E9 3.0L CSL ‘Batmobile’. This, Roberts instructed, was to be the result.
‘Batmobile’ was a factory option, albeit never factory delivered. If a vehicle was ‘Batmobile’ optioned, the kit would have been packaged into the boot for dealer install.
To Max’s CSL, repairs ensued, and extensively so at times to transform and restore this beaten up racer and restore its structural integrity.
The Project
The restoration culminated in May of 2021, the vehicle no longer coloured blue, rather ‘Chamonix’ – and adorned by option: ‘Batmobile’.
The last chapter we have to share on this vehicle is one of elatedness and tragedy.
The Outcome
On Max’s behalf, we entered this CSL into the concours at Motors and Masterpieces, 2024, an event which picked up from the ashes of Motorclassica. After two days surrounded by some exquisite competition, we were all blown away to be awarded ‘Best of Show’. The recognition and triumph for a vehicle finished years earlier was, and still is, incredible.
We said at the time, Max bestowed us a great privilege: a project, a brief, and a license to execute to the best of our abilities. We were immensely and humbly proud of this award, for so many reasons, but above all, for the late Max Roberts.
Max, a highly successful dairy farmer of Bega, and well regarded former Chairman of the ASX listed, well known and loved Aussie brand, Bega, was moved to tears (which he fought back) when accepting the trophy.
Unfortunately, Max passed away just months later, after an incredibly short battle with cancer.
A project, a vehicle, and above all, the person, Max: you’ve left an indelible mark.