One of the prettiest cars ever made was the BMW 2800, internally coded E9. The 1971 2800 CS now listed on eBay goes one step further. It was modified to resemble the race-friendly CSL “Batmobile” version that came later.
This 2800 CS resembles a later-period CSL, whose big rear wing and spoilers gave it the “Batmobile” nickname.
The ’71 BMW 2800 on eBay features a more potent 3.5-liter six instead of the stock 2.8. The vendor in New Smyrna Beach, Fla., calls it a “hot rod,” and it definitely is. The Buy-It-Now price is $48,000. He says:
The vehicle runs great and is mainly used for weekend drives.
The 2800 CS was a beautiful Karmann-built vehicle.
BMW 2800 CS History
The E9 coupés, debuting with the 2800 CS in 1969, were successors to the similarly styled (but underpowered) 2000 C and CS. They were built for four years, starting in 1965.
Cars like these represented a departure for BMW, which had previously concentrated mostly on the lower end of the auto market via unorthodox vehicles like the 700 and the Isetta microcar. The company had produced the gorgeous V-8-powered 507 sports car in the late 1950s, but it was a financial debacle.
The E9 coupés were principally styled in-house by design chief Wilhelm Hofmeister. They were designed to house BMW’s 168-horsepower M30 straight-six. It was a compliment to the two-liter four that went into the 2002. The bigger engine and significant weight reduction gave the 2800 much better performance than the 2000. The cars were luxurious, with wood paneling and optional leather seats.
More Power in 1971
The 2800 didn’t last long. The 3.0 CS and CSi replaced it in 1971. With the engine bored out to 2,986 cc, the car produced 180 horsepower in carbureted form and 200 horsepower when injected.
The 3.5-liter motor is likely an M88, as seen in the M1 and later modified for the M5.
Purists went for the four-speed manual, but a three-speed automatic was also popular. US cars came with ugly mandated five-mile-per-hour bumpers, which have been replaced with prettier Euro issue on some cars now.
The E9-based CSL was introduced in spring 1972. BMW did not sell the car initially in the US. But the brand later offered it in a small edition to the public to qualify for the European Touring Class Championship competition.
The “L” stood for “leicht,” light. Engineers achieved that designation with an aluminum hood, doors, and trunk lid. Plastic Perspex replaced the heavy glass.
Only 1,265 were built. These rarities are extremely valuable. A black 1972 example fetched $131,600 at Monterey in 2019.
The Aerodynamic Batmobile Bimmer in 1973
This 2800 CS resembles a later-period CSL, whose big rear wing and spoilers gave it the “Batmobile” nickname.
The “Batmobile” name came from the later edition car’s aero package (circa 1973). It includes spoilers and a huge rear wing. The 2800 CS on eBay is done up with that package, plus the side striping and CSL graphics.
The CSL of the era did not come with a 3.5-liter engine. Instead, it made do with a small displacement boost over the powerplant in the 3.0 CS. In 1973, the engine went to 3.15 liters and produced 203 horsepower. They were fearsome in competition then (winning the driver’s title six times between 1973 and 1979).
What’s in the car on offer is presumably the 3.5-liter M88 straight-six, produced for 11 years between 1978 and 1989. This engine is based on the 3.0 C’s powerplant, so there’s synergy. The motor was good for 273 horsepower, so a significant boost for this hot rod.
When new, the CS was something of a heartbreaker because its Karmann-built bodies were prone to rust. Enthusiasts rebuilt the survivors to a higher standard than new.
Vintage BMWs are always in demand and the BMW 2800 CS is more sought-after than ever. And the Batmobile enhancements of the car on eBay give it a uniquely speedy appeal.
See Xenon Light Bulbs for BMW 2800 for sale on eBay.
