The BMW E9 generation was not particularly known for its moisture protection – in fact, it was infamous for being prone to rust. Electric Classic Cars discovered a particularly badly damaged example and managed to restore it to a proper driving condition, although it took a major effort.
This 1970 BMW 3.0 CSi has been parked in a dilapidated shed with leaky roof for years, with water entering the cabin through an open roof hatch. After a while, the interior and the engine were completely destroyed. Most shops would turn it down on the spot, but ECC decided to go through with a full restoration and modernization.
In the beginning, the carcass of the 3.0 CSi was gutted clean of its former trim and powertrain. The interior was redone from scratch, and the stock 3.0-liter inline-six engine made room for a Tesla electric motor and battery. The resulting electromod enjoys 456 PS (450 hp / 336 kW) and 450 Nm (332 lb-ft) of torque – about twice as much as the original had.
The car now sprints 0-100 km/h (0-62 mph) in three seconds flat and has around 322 km (200 miles) of range once fully charged. It benefits from revised suspension and robust Wilwood brake rotors at both ends. Rounding things off is an aluminum body kit, which makes it look like the 3.0 CSL Homologation Special (but it isn’t).