CSi Scheel Interior & Wheel questions

[E9Aus]

Hi all. I have a couple of quick questions on an E9 I am buying (it'll be my first!!). A RHD 1972 3.0 CSi.

Firstly, was it possible to order a factory 3.0 CSi with the Scheel CSL interior in 1972/3? The car I am buying has a Scheel CSL interior (see pics) and the seller swears it is original and came new with this car as an option, he is sending papers to prove it hopefully. This car was built in 1972 and first sold in the UK in 1973. A CSL Scheel interior could of course have been installed later but the seller knows the original owner and he swears it came with the car new.

I have asked BMW archives and they have confirmed the VIN for me including the colour, year of manufacture, country of sale and year of sale but they wouldn't confirm the options list for me based on the VIN as it would take a lot of work apprently. At this stage I don't have access to the car to see if the build sheet is still in the back seat frame as the car is in transit.

So is it possible that this is an original CSL factory interior delivered with this CSi? And if so, would it make this combo of 3.0 CSi and factory CSL interior rare? Would anyone care?

I'm also wondering if the steering wheel is CSL interior spec as well. Any ideas? I can't make out if the photo of the logo on the stering wheel is BMW or Alpina.

Next question: did the CSL Scheel front seats typically come with headrests? I have seen a lot of CSL interior shots but none with headrests strangely enough, though some had plugs on the top of the seat where the headrests slot in it seems. Were they potentially only an option with the Scheel interior that not many people took up? It would seem strange to have accommodation for headrests and no headrests themselves. If they do exist, would anyone know where I can source a couple from? The seller says he never had any with the car.

Last question: The car comes with some spare alloy wheels. They are well used now and will need restoring but I am wondering if they are BMW OEM and of the correct period? Is there anything special about them? Are they valuable or just run of the mill alloys? Photo attached.

Thanks a million to all in advance!

 

[bert35csi]

Don't have any info on the Scheel interior on a non-CSL, but it would be reasonable to assume that scheels could have been an option. The standard CS seat material options back then were: vinyl, velour (cloth), and leather. Interior door panels were always vinyl cladded, regardless of seat materials.

The steering wheel fitted is the British made Moto-Lita and is aftermarket.

The rims appear to be the BBS/Mahle 14x7" basketweaves and were available as a option for the coupe, though they were not really that popular option back then. They were a more popular fitment on the later E24 6 Series coupes. Believe they were available with either silver and gold finishes. On a closer inspection of the rims, they are probably some BBS/Mahle lookalikes and not the genuine articles. As to how much those rims are worth, probably not much, $300-$400 perhaps.

 

[Bill Cutler]

Welcome to E9 ownership - hope you go ahead and take the plunge!

The wheels do look aftermarket - what is the brand on them?

Scheel seats were fitted to the RS2000 Escorts amongst other Fords of the early 70's, most of those had headrests.

Do you have the chassis number of the car? They only made 207 RHD versions of the CSi ..... Was yours Australian delivered?

Bill

 

[CSL 1973]

A9Aus,

I think the Scheel headrests were available as an option. On the Werkfoto nr 7423 (Pressphoto) for the 3153 ccm CSL, there are no headrests in the car on the photo. No headrests in the special CSL sales brochure (9/72), UK CSL sales leaflet, BMW program 1973 or in the Silver E9 sales brochure from 8/74.

However, in the "BMW programm" leaflet from late 1973, there is a factory CSL (M-AW 544)with CSi seats, CSi headrests and with motorsport stripes without the "CSL" incoperated.

If I remember correctly, I have seen a note in a price list that the Scheel headrests were included on late CSLs (could have been for a special market).

During the 70s, there were a lot of possibilities for customers to individualise, already from the factory/BMW dealer, a new E9 including CSL, so why not? If a client wanted a CSL interior in a CSi, I don't think that BMW would have refused such demand.


Cheers

 

[E9Aus]

Thanks

Thanks guys for your input. And thanks Bill for providing the fruits of your research, it's really handy info to have.

I have done a bit more rummaging around on the web and found a few photos of original CSL's with headrests.

Even found someone who makes them aftermarket but they are exy. http://nml-depot.de/nmldepot006.htm

These guys also do full Scheel seat repro's as well: http://www.classiccarseats.com/hockenheim.php

Can anyone recommend any other place I might look to buy CSL headrests? Also where I might be able to source an original CSL steering wheel or repro?

I have put a few pics up for those interested.

Yeah, it looks like the spare rims that come with the car are nothing flash - I think I will put a set of Alpinas on as is the way for most coupe owners it seems. What sized rims would you recommend? I can get hold of a set of Alpina's (or maybe lookalikes, not sure yet) from my local BM guy here for $400 and they are 15" - would they suit the car well?

Many thanks guys - exceptional info. Cheers, Mick