Motoring: BMW 2000 CS Coupe - 1965

Inspired by the limited production Bertone designed and built BMW 3200CS (603 built), and developed directly from the oddball (covered headlight) Wilhelm Hofmeister-styled 2000C/CS, the 3.0CS/CSI/CSL were the final and most popular of the series.

The car was made possible by the remarkably smooth and eager new sohc inline six launched earlied in the upmarket 22500/2800/New Class sedan series.�� This shared the 2000CS body/chassis aft of the firewall, but had a longer front end to accommodate the six, plus revised front suspension and a new four-lamp face.��

Like the New Class sedans, the 2000CS coupe had MacPherson strut front suspension with semi-trailing arms in the rear. The 1990cc four-cylinder engine produced 135bhp and could motor from 0-60mph in 11.3 seconds with a fuel rating of 23 mpg.

These cars are instantly recognizable by their distinctive front-end, especially the headlights. The headlight treatment placed two sets of front lights and turn signals within a wrap-around glass enclosure. Advanced for its time, the design is similar to the front-end treatment on the E39 5 Series sedan and other contemporary BMW models. But the motoring press was critical of the design and after 11,720 C/CS cars were made (2837 2000C and 8883 2000CS) between 1965 and 1969, the 2000CS gave way to the BMW 2800CS (and the Europe-only 2.5CS), with a more conventional front-end treatment and a six-cylinder engine. The interior of the 2000CS was very luxurious. BMW ads at the time said the car "handles like a Grand Prix champion" yet "feels like a long, silky limousine".

The building of the bodies was subcontracted out to Karmann and little attention was paid to rust prevention. Consequently, the majority of these cars have been destroyed due to repair costs often far exceeding their value. Its basic shape was retained for well over 3 decades in a range of subsequent 2 and 4 door models, an incredible feat given the changes in public taste, and a tribute to its classic timeless design.

A total of 41,346 Coupes were built between 1965 and 1975. This figure includes the early 2000C/CS' and 2.5CS covered headlight, 4 cylinder cars and the later 2800CS, 3.0Cs, 3.0CSI and 3.0CSL models. 10,088 3.0CS models were built.

BMW 3.0CS Coupe:
Engine: BMW in-line 6 cylinder (2985cc)
Horsepower: 170 mph at 5800 rpm
Torque: 185 lb at 3500 rpm
Suspension: Front- Independent, rubber mounted wishbones with inclined struts and coil springs, additional progressive rubber springing and torsion stabilizer
Rear- Independent, rubber mounted inclined semi-trailing arms with coil springs.
Top Speed: 131 mph