JP,
Completely agree, the struggles of storing parts and engines that aren't needed, and won't be used again, ties up space and makes things complex . . . That said, watching the market value of these cars, especially matching number CSLs I would absolutely not separate these components.
In the past history of BMW's there have been very few cars where matching numbers was considered to be very important, certainly here in the USA. I feel all of this is changing now as the collector car market becomes an investment path for many people. In my own lifetime I've owned many a car, mostly American and German, and most are now classic collectibles, wish I still had all of them!! During my ownership all were modified, and in numerous cases I wish I had kept the car 100% original. At least the retention of the original engine and the ability to return it to "original" would have been there.....
In my present business I frequently have this conversation when a customer desires to build a car that departs from a restoration. Recently we built a CSL race replica, and this car started as a 1974 US Spec chassis . . it was the most rust free and straight example we could locate w/o cutting up a more desirable chassis. On the flip side yearly we return 1-2 cars back to completely original stock cars after they spent years as someones track toy. This is now becoming common with the E30 M3 and the Porsche 911. It's my belief that the CSL is not far behind in what I would consider to be a significant climb in value. It has everything going for it, low production numbers, style and performance . .
my unsolicited .02 cents worth . .
Mario L.
www.VSR1.com
603.228.2888
