In 1968 BMW introduced the wildly popular E9 series in the form of the 2800 CS coupe. Successor to the important Neue Klasse coupes, the 2800 CS featured sleek coachwork by Karmann and brought six-cylinder power to the lineup. The improved 3.0 CS followed in 1971, with a larger 3.0-liter inline-six and other upgrades, including four-wheel disc brakes. Imminently capable and fast, the 3.0 CS became the basis of the homologation special 3.0 CSL, which won six European Touring Car Championships and took numerous class wins at Daytona, Le Mans, and Spa. “There’s a certain aggressive character about the way these cars perform, hard to define or describe,” wrote Road & Track in its 1973 BMW owner survey. “One owner said, ‘The harder I drive it, the more it seems to like it.’”

This masterfully restored 1973 BMW 3.0 CS has been well-loved, having spent time with previous owners in Kentucky and Milwaukee. A photo on file indicates that it was finished in silver previously but has since been resprayed to a lustrous dark blue, a color that coordinates wonderfully with its navy blue interior. Alloy basketweave wheels were also installed under previous ownership and lend an aggressive stance while still appearing correct for the period.

In 2018, the consignor undertook a comprehensive cosmetic restoration that took the body down to bare metal. Painstaking metalwork included replacing the floor panels, refurbishing the front inner fenders, recutting the fuel-door opening, and relocating the fuel-filler pipe to its correct location, after being modified under previous ownership. Every cosmetic detail was carefully considered, and various mechanical components were recommissioned, including suspension, braking, fueling, and air-conditioning systems. Invoices on file for the comprehensive restoration, which concluded in 2019, total more than $78,000. Further work on the electrical systems, air-conditioning, and other components continued over the following years at a further expense of more than $20,000.

Now offered with a history file containing previous registrations, parts and service receipts dating from the eighties, and invoices for the restoration under current ownership, this stunning 3.0 CS will surely bring joy and pride to its next caretaker, both at events—where the beauty of its design and workmanship will surely shine—or on the open road, being driven as hard as it likes to be.