What do race drivers Hans Stuck, Brian Redman, David Hobbs, Sam Posey and the late Benny Parsons have in common?
While at least three of them are/were commentators for televised racing, the common thread between is they all raced the BMW 3.0 CSL (Coupe Sport Leicht or Light), more famously known as the Batmobile. The 3.0 CSL won 5 European Touring Car Championships between 1973 and 1979, as well as other championships and races including IMSA. Variants of this popular car continued to win races long after production of ended in 1975.
The AUTO art version here, decked out in Chamonix white, was driven by Stuck and Chris Amon at the ETCC 24 hours of Spa in 1973 where it started first on the grid in Group 2 but finished eleventh after a valve problem forced an early retirement. Though the car was technically sponsored by Castrol, the trademark red, blue and purple striping of BMW Motorsport Gmbh is what stands out. The CSL was the first to carry this treatment which became standard on subsequent entries. The striping and all sponsor graphics are tampo applied so there will not be any peeling or pitting issues.
Unlike the car, the model is heavy. This doesn’t seem to come from the 10” length or narrow breadth of the model, but from the content AUTO art has included. The ETCC cars varied from the IMSA versions in that they retained most stock options. Instead of window netting, there are chrome trimmed windows – even the front quarter window retains separate trim. Door interiors have window roll-ups, armrests and wood accents. Add to the typical passenger car interior accoutrements basic gear like a rollbar and massive spare tire where the back seat should be and the hefty feel is easily explained. All of this is fabulously detailed - the shut lines are so tight you will need fingernails of steel or a GMP-style opening tool to open the doors.
The reason the spare is parked in the backseat is the sprawl of the fuel and oil management systems recreated in vivid detail in the trunk. While the parts are obviously plastic, they are metallic enough in appearance to pass muster. One curious feature are the two handles attached to the trunk under the rear wing - some sort of pulls used to assist in closing the lid when it is fully open I presume an odd detail on an otherwise tightly built car.
Want to see the engine? Use the authentic brace to keep the bonnet up – some things never change about AUTO art models. The engine is meticulous. While the 3.0 inline six served as the basic engine, the CSL evolved over time from 3.2 to 3.5 liters. This version with is a twelve-valve straight-six 3340cc engine with Kugelfischer fuel injection – a successful engine at the Nurburing and Le Sarthe despite throwing a valve in this particular case.
Complaints? Steering did not function on the sample but this might be a one-off instance as happens with review pieces. The model shape appears to be a scooch long in the area of the greenhouse but I don’t have any “proof” as the scale is dead on. It could be one of those optical illusions real scale sometimes brings out that differs from memory or the camera eye. There was an opportunity to model what made the CSL "Light" - BMW's use of metal alloys, aluminum, kevlar, etc. This model doesn’t have representation of these materials. Usually AUTO art is very good about modeling such mixed media (see their carbon fiber emulations on other cars).
If that seems like a high standard it's because most aspects of this model have been spectacularly executed. The lights, grille, tires and wheels are all big fun. The chassis is worth studying (notice the big air intakes that attach to the front spoiler.) The showstopper is the entire aero package, from the massive slotted front air dam to the front strakes, to the rear window hoop to the rear wing. Miniaturized faux rivets are thoughtfully included where they should be so the look is accurate not antiseptic.
This model is impressive and has charismatic shelf presence. If you collect classic GT cars you must have at least one CSL in your collection and you can't go wrong with this one.
-Rusty Hurley
