With BMW looking to push the marque further upmarket, the combination of their bahn-storming six cylinder engine and a pretty but underpowered Coupé in its portfolio, it was almost inevitable that the two would get together.

The resulting E9 Coupé is one of BMW’s best ever Coupés.

British buyers had to wait until 1969 before they could sample the new car and shortly after, in 1971, the 3.0 CS made its debut with another 10bhp and more torque for better flexibility.

This year also saw the introduction of this car – the 3.0 CSI fuel injected version, and with more power it became BMW’s first 200bhp plus machine.

It was always an expensive machine at some £6,000 when new in 1971 – that would have bought you a Porsche 911 of the period or even an entry-level Ferrari.

In recent years, prices of its big brother, the legendary CSL have rapidly risen to a whole new league with the CSI’s tipped to follow.

The fabulous example, first delivered in December 1973, has recently enjoyed a hugel...