Classic BMW Spotted on the Streets of Seoul

A 1971 BMW 3.0 CS equipped with an automatic transmission was spotted in Seongsu-dong.

There are many factors to consider when manufacturing a car today. These include driver safety, pedestrian safety, exhaust gas concentration, interior space, and collision safety. However, when these regulations were relatively lax in the past, more attention could be paid to design.

Recently, a photo sent in by a reader to New Auto Post featured a  BMW classic car that looked as if it had popped out of a museum. The low-slung body design, which is not commonly seen, evokes a sense of nostalgia. Let’s delve into this car’s identity.

The car in question is a 3.0 CS coupe that boasts a Hofmeister design

A reader spotted a unique car while passing through Seongsu-dong in 2020. At first, they thought it was a simple display car set up in a store, but upon closer inspection, they were surprised to see a formal license plate attached. The car turned out to be a  1971 BMW E9 3.0 CS coupe.

The exterior, designed by legendary designer Hofmeister, exudes class. The kidney grille, a trademark of BMW, is noticeably smaller than the current models. On either side, there are round headlights. The car also features a large chrome bumper, a legacy of past models not included in the current models.

Monotone black interior equipped with an automatic transmission

Like other BMWs of the time, the interior is serene, monotone black. The dashboard is divided into four sections: fuel gauge, speedometer, RPM, and clock. The most notable feature of the interior is the automatic transmission. While manual transmissions are becoming less common, they were the norm in the 1970s. In Korea, automatic transmissions were introduced only in the 1980s, so seeing one in a 1971 model was surprising.

The rear is simpler than the front. The chrome-decorated tail lamp area and bumper come into view as you follow the curve of the trunk lid. Unlike today’s cars, which try to hide it, the exhaust pipe extends long below the left side. Also, on the left side of the trunk, there’s an ‘Automatic’ emblem, indicating that it was a high-end option at the time.

A car that contributed to modern BMW

The BMW E9 3.0 CS is a high-performance coupe that produces 180 horsepower with a 2,986cc M30 I6 engine. This car is considered one of the models that established the sporty image that BMW has today. It’s also a vehicle that continues the brand’s new project, ‘New Class,’ which started in the 1960s and led to the luxury upgrade of BMW’s cars.

In addition, the 3.0 CSL debuted in 1972, following the 3.0 CS. The L in 3.0 CSL stands for Light, symbolizing lightweight, and it reduced its weight by 200kg compared to the 3.0 CS by adopting aluminum body panels and plexiglass. Only 1,265 units were produced as production versions to meet the European Touring Car Championship regulations, and one of them is held at the Samsung Fire & Marine Insurance Mobility Museum.