The BMW E9 and a man and his love of his 1972 BMW 3.0 CS
BMW has produced many iconic designs over the years. One of the most memorable from the 60s and 70s is the BMW 3.0 CS. Known internally as the BMW E9, the ‘grand tourer’ helped establish the iconic manufacturer into the company it is today.
In 1958, BMW was on the verge of bankruptcy. In a last ditch effort to save itself, BMW introduced the New Class line of sedans and coupes. Produced between 1962 and 1977, the line ensured the company’s solvency after its financial crisis and established the identity of BMW automobiles as sports sedans.
In 1965, BMW introduced the predecessor of the BMW 3.0 CS, the 2000C and 2000CS luxury coupe. Powered by the new 4-cylinder M10 engine, the car was replaced by the BMW E9 in 1968. The new luxury coupe incorporated a new front end and was enlarged to hold the BMW M30 straight-six engine used in the BMW E3 Sedan.
BMW New Six CS
The two-door ‘grand touring’ coupe was built for BMW by Karmann from 1968 to 1975. The BMW E9 platform had a very successful racing career with the 3.0 CSL homologation special. It was in the European Touring Car Championship and the Deutsche Rennsport Meisterschaft that helped establish BMW as a sporty driver’s car.
Between 1968 and 1975, BMW produced several different models of the BMW E9, the 2800 CS, 3.0 CS, 3.0 CSi, 3.0 CSL, and 2.5 CS. During its 7 year production run, a total of 30, 546 units were produced.
A 1972 BMW 3.0 CS
Like many early BMWs, the E9 has appreciated in value and is highly sought after by many collectors. However, there are some owners out there who fell in love with the car when it was first released almost 50 years ago. One such man is Tom McComas Senior.
Tom loves BMWs as he owns a 1985 M6 and 325i convertible. He bought his 1972 BMW 3.0 CS new off the showroom floor after the birth of his son. Beautifully detailed by Petrolicious, view the video below to hear Tom’s story about his 3.0 CS.
