In today's video, we're checking out the most exclusive and most expensive BMW ever built: the 2023 3.0 CSL. Based on the CSL Hommage of 2015 and approved for production in 2020, the 3.0 CSL is a concept car for the street. As an anniversary gift to themselves to celebrate the 50 years since BMW Motorsport was created, only 50 cars will be built alongside the new M4 GT4. The powertrain, chassis and interior are mostly from the GT4 with a few enhancements. But following a labor-intensive, two week production process, 30 handpicked specialists will turn an M4 into a CSL, handcrafting and painting with the utmost precision, 22 individual parts made out of carbon fibre or CFRP, amongst many other custom touches. Obviously, it's very fast, too. It's powered by a 3.0 lt, twin-turbo straight-six with 580 hp and 930 N-m of torque, going through a six-speed manual gearbox, it can reach a top speed of over 300 kph. I'll spare you the intricate details, but it's definitely worth every penny of the 765k Euros asking price! It's one of the most gorgeous, sexiest BMWs ever built, and just an incredibly unique and historic automobile overall!
Check out the video HERE and give a cheeky LIKE so more people can enjoy it ;)
During Franco’s fearful reign over Spain, just like in many other fascist countries, the Spanish automotive industry was in shambles due to the nationalization of the entire industry. With a lack of funds to design their own cars, they resorted to building Fiats, Simcas, and many other existing models under license, in Spain. One of the most significant vehicle companies at the time was called Barreiros, and they basically put the whole country on wheels. They built buses, trucks, tractors, and cars, all produced under license, at their Villaverde factory in Madrid.
In 1963, Barreiros struck a deal with Chrysler to start producing the six-cylinder Dodge Dart in Spain. The cars were delivered from Argentina to Spain as a knock-down kit, due to the fact it was the Cold War and the only way to access said parts was to collaborate with another, fascist government. The sheet metal production and the final assembly took place in Madrid, where they would later be tested at the factory’s private test track. The first gen was produced from ‘63 to ’70, and the second-gen Dart 3700 from ‘71 to ‘78. All were sold with a 3.7 lt straight-six, four-speed manual, and four-wheel disc brakes, but only 17,589 were made in 15 years. The problem was, that people could barely afford to eat, so a Seat 600 (Fiat 600) was more appropriate than a big Dodge Dart. Again, like in all fascist countries, the nice, expensive cars are for the “chosen ones”, a.k.a. politicians, secret police, you know the drill. If you saw a black Dodge Dart 3700 following you slowly, in early ‘70s Madrid, you’d be scared for your life, for sure!
Here’s a selection of first, second, and third-gen 3700s I saw during my Erasmus at Madrid in 2019, some of them with their original, Madrid plates too!
