1973 BMW 0cs for sale in Santa Barbara, CA

Listed at $85,000 USD.

1973 BMW 3.0 CS Coupe | Malaga Red | 4-Speed Manual | Euro Delivery Offered for sale is a stunning 1973 BMW 3.0 CS finished in classic and highly desirable Malaga Red. This elegant E9 coupe is an original Euro-delivery car and presents in excellent condition, having covered approximately 113,000 kilometers (~81,000 miles) since new. The car has factory air conditioning and original 4-speed manual transmission. Widely regarded as one of BMW's most beautiful and important designs, the E9 coupe combines timeless styling with engaging driver-focused performance. The pillarless body design, long hood, delicate greenhouse, and signature Hofmeister kink make the 3.0 CS a standout among classic European grand touring cars. Under the hood is BMW's legendary 3.0-liter M30 inline-six, paired with the desirable 4-speed manual transmission. The combination delivers smooth torque, effortless highway cruising, and a driving experience that exemplifies the qualities that established BMW's reputation as a builder of sporting luxury automobiles. This example benefits from careful ownership and presents exceptionally well throughout. Originally sold in Ferrara, Italy and transported to the USA in the early 1980s, the car is now in Santa Barbara, CA. The car has had essentially 4 owners and, since 1986, has always been stored indoors and has not been driven in the rain. The car runs, drives, and handles extremely well and is ready to be enjoyed as the exceptional GT car that it is. The Italian first owner kept the car until 1977, after which it was purchased used at a Fiat dealership in Bondeno province of Ferrara in Italy by its second owner, who drove the car extensively throughout Europe and, in the early 1980s, imported the car to the USA. In 1987 the car was purchased by its 3rd owner, who devoted a great deal of time and attention to the car, including enlisting one of the premier E9 shops in the country (The Werk Shop, Lake Bluff, IL) to completely recondition the car. This work included the installation of a factory remanufactured engine directly from BMW, with Weber carburetors (the engine now has 19,000 kms [~12,000 miles] on it), complete body work and any necessary rust remediation (including new front fenders and repair of drip rails and rocker panels), a repaint in the original Malaga Red color, and mechanical work including new bushings, tie rods, idler arm, ball joints, clutch pressure plate, disk, and slave cylinder, hoses throughout, wheel bearings, rebuilt alternator, and distributor. In short, the entire car was reconditioned by The Werk Shop; receipts from this work total over $68,000. Photos of this work are available. I purchased the car in 2016 from the estate of this owner, via a lifelong friend of his. In the time I’ve owned the car, I have done all appropriate and necessary upgrades and maintenance work, including: the installation of a Pertronix electronic ignition, spark plugs, plug wires, and distributor cap; rebuilding and synchronizing the Weber carbs; installing a new driveshaft; completely rebuilding the differential; replacement of the heater/vent blower motor; installation of new driver and passenger cabin seals, new hood seals, and new trunk seal (not yet installed); and the installation of appropriate 3-point seatbelts and classic LED headlights from Vintage Car LEDs that perfectly mimic original era Hella H4 lights in appearance. Notably, the car comes with all repair and maintenance records starting with the 3rd owner, totaling approximately $11,000 (in addition to the aforementioned $68,000 in receipts from The Werk Shop), as well as all original parts removed from the car (e.g., original seatbelts, steering wheel, etc.). The car also comes with its original Italian manual, maintenance book, service books (showing dealer service up to 42,000 kms), and Italian license plates. The car is reliable, extremely well-maintained, and has been carefully sorted out with an eye to performance and authenticity. Noted issues include very minor paint-adhesion bubbles on the (new) fender panels (related to surface prep prior to paint), wheels that exhibit some curb rash, and some minor areas of peeling undercoating on the undercarriage. Trunk wheel well liners and the preserved, original interior—which has a handsome, honest patina--could be refurbished, but I’ve chose to maintain the car’s originality instead. The car is not rusty and is structurally completely solid. All systems work as they should and the car drives marvelously, pulling strongly, shifting smoothly across all gears, and braking reliably. Particularly notable is the vintage Nardi wooden steering wheel, which accents the original cabin wood surfaces perfectly. The car has been meticulously maintained and is ready to be enjoyed by its next owner. The E9 chassis occupies a special place in BMW history, serving as the foundation for the marque's touring car racing success and helping define the BMW performance image for decades to come. Whether destined for concours events, vintage touring rallies, BMW club gatherings, or spirited drives, this 3.0 CS offers an opportunity to acquire one of the most elegant and rewarding German grand touring cars ever produced. Serious inquiries are invited, and I’m happy to show the car in person. Alternatively, I’m available to do a video inspection of the car or to help facilitate pre-purchase inspections through the shop of your choice local to me.