The auction hose came back. My email exchange in full below.
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Hi Harry,
Saw your auction listing for the 'CSL.'
That's a re-shelled CS - the base model - a world away from the CSL as those even have a different chassis (thinner steel) and a very specific vin range.
You say that in the small print but others may find your listing description a little misleading. The car is getting a lot of negative chatter on the relevant BMW E9 forum, as is your auction house. Thought you should know.
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Good morning/afternoon Wes,
Thank you for your email regarding the CSL.
We’re aware that the car was re-shelled in the 1980s, as many cars were, from cars like Cosworths to (now) mega value 1960s Ferraris, as I’m sure you know, with their values at the time being so relatively small it was the most economical option to buy a new shell and put everything into it but as stated in the description, it is not known why the car was re-shelled with no indicators of foul play on HPI or through research.
It was not and is not uncommon practice however we are aware it impacts the originality factor and overall price hence it has been guided accordingly.
Additionally, as one of your members pointed out, the car received a full valuation and inspection by John Castle, CS Register Chairman Emeritus of BMW Car Club (GB) Ltd in 2018 with a glowing report on the cars condition, restoration and history. It was this report that the catalogue description was based upon, as well as the knowledge of the restoration. Before it’s sale to our vendor in 2015, H&H consulted the BMW Car Club GB on the description to be used in the auction catalogue when the car was sold and this was their advice and recommendation:
https://www.handh.co.uk/auction/lot/5-1973-bmw-30-csl/?lot=15928&sd=1
The below summary from John Castle on the car paints a clear picture on the car, what it is and what the quality is like. As is often the way with owners groups and enthusiast clubs, they are quick to attack and accuse without reading or knowing the full story and assume the worst. We have been abundantly clear that the car is not original, but is outstanding condition-wise which is why it is priced accordingly and far below what the restoration cost was for the car.
“The VIN number of the car shows that it was in the last batch of 500 right-hand drive “City Pack” versions of the CSL built for the UK market. Production finished in February 1973 and the car would have been stored in Belgium before being called forward to the UK when sold in September. The reason it was re-shelled is not known. 2285486 will therefore be slightly heavier than when it was built because the main outer shell panels will be in 18swg steel rather than the thinner original 22swg. But the weight difference will be marginal because many of the lighter weight body panels have not been available since the 1980s and almost all CSLs which have been restored since then will have used the 18swg panels, which are still available. The car has retained the iconic lightweight alloy bonnet, doors and boot lid which gave the car its “Lichtmetal” (L) suffix – CSL. The owner has chosen to make the re-shelling clear by omitting the “+” signs which BMW stamped into the shell at the time, before and after the VIN number, to denote that it not the original shell. This is very commendable.
The engine is a genuine BMW factory reconditioned unit as it is coded 33 indicating 3.3 litres (BMW rounded up the displacement), E indicates “Petrol Injection” and “D” indicates D-Jetronic. 1096 is the serial number and “A” indicates remanufactured. By good fortune this upgrade will compensate for the slightly heavier car because it increases the mid-range engine torque by 23ft/lbs.
This car, as restored, is of outstanding appearance and condition making it almost a benchmark example of the City Pack CSL. More and more CSLs are being modified, either with 16” wheels, lowered suspension, upgraded engines, and 5 speed gearboxes to improve performance for modern road conditions. This car is modified by having a different shell but otherwise almost exactly replicating the original specification except for some additional safety and reliability modifications. This might be a deterrent to experts looking for a car with matching engine and shell numbers although this aspect is declining in popularity. I am making an allowance for this in the valuation.
The value of concours condition, original, CSLs is now in excess of £190,000. This car is in a concours category in all aspects except originality. Yet it’s provenance, appearance and sheer presence on the road almost puts it on a par with similar original, restored, CSLs. So, my valuation is based on the desirability of the car to a collector who wants a brilliant CSL and is not concerned by the fact that it has been re-shelled. It is a credit to Paul Baker Custom Metalwork, Eastleigh for the care and detail they have put into the restoration and to the owner for his sensible selection of materials, parts and modifications – and for the VIN marking indicating that it has been re-shelled.”
If you wish to discuss further do call me on....
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Thanks Harry,
Appreciate the history but respectfully you are missing the point. The car is a CSA that has a series of parts from a CSL. It's not and never will be one of the 500 'City Cars.'
That car shouldn't have a CSL vin but a CSA vin. If it now carries a CSL vin (I haven't looked) that's probably going to get some people in a lot of trouble down the road as it's most likely an offence as you can't just cut a vin from a car and weld it into another body and claim it's the same car - you certainly can't then claim that the car has 'never been scrapped' - per the associated ebay listing.
Appreciate you are trying to get a good price for the vendor, and the car looks amazing but it's simply not a CSL. It's a tribute at best. There are other key differences between the chassis on the CS and CSL that aren't widely known (over and above the alloy panels etc) but for those in the know stand out like the proverbial. You probably aren't doing yourself any favours with other CSL owners if/when they decide to dispose of their cars.
Wes Young
www.silverstoneauctions.com
