SOUGHT AFTER BMWs UNDER THE HAMMER

Possibly the most distinctive model to be offered at the Silverstone Auctions hosted Race Retro and Classic Car Sale has been unveiled as a 1973 BMW 3.0 CSL Batmobile FIA Race Car in bright orange.Estimated at between 75,000 to 100,000, this stunning example will come to auction on 23rd February at Stoneleigh with zero running hours since a very recent engine refresh by renowned experts Mathwall Engineering.Starting life as a standard original BMW CSL road car, the car was built for racing in 2010 by noted race team Classic Cars of Kent. The work involved acid dipping, e-coating and seam welding the shell. It was then fitted with new sills and panels where necessary and a full FIA cage welded in to place.Underneath the bonnet, the engine was modified to full FIA race spec with very rare factory Kugelfischer injection and Schnitzer slides.Nick Whale, managing director, Silverstone Auctions, said: Presented with FIA HTP papers, this race car is a great way to compete in the various 70s saloon events, including the Masters series.Its a fitting addition to our auction at the Race Retro Show, Europes premier international historic motorsport event, and lines up alongside a stunning array of competition cars, classic road-going models and collectable automobilia.Other BMWs being offered include a 1973 E9 CSI Coupe one of only 207 right-hand drive examples built - estimated at 18,000 to 22,000, and a 1974 E9 CSI Coupe fitted with a 3.8 M5 Engine, also estimated at 18,000 to 22,000.Moving forward in years and there is a 1991 M5 the last of the hand-built M cars estimated at 8,000 to 10,000, and a 2006 Z4M Roadster owned by motoring legend Colin Blower estimated at 14,000 to 16,000.