Enhancing the design of the 2000 CS, BMW began to chase the worldwide upscale coupe market with the new 2800 CS. The first vehicle in the E9 series, which went on to become one of BMW’s most successful models, featured a smooth-running inline six-cylinder engine beneath a subtly lengthened front end. The CS was designed in-house by BMW’s Wilhelm Hofmeister and the bodies were constructed by Karmann of Osnabrück, Germany. The aggressively forward-leaning grille, the angled line at the rear of the quarter window, the upswept rear fascia, and an unbroken beltline that encircled the entire car all brilliantly came together to form one of the most memorable designs in the Bavarian company’s history. Twin carburetors fed the sophisticated pillarless coupe’s 2.8-liter engine to achieve a top speed of 128 mph.

This early production 2800 CS is a US-market example equipped with an automatic transmission and presented in red over a black interior. Alpinastyled accessory parts have been added including open-lug alloy wheels and Alpina badging on the front grille and rear fascia. An Alpina horn button accents a period Nardi wood-rimmed three-spoke steering wheel.

An unrestored example, this 2800 CS stands as one of the earliest versions of the E9 imported to the US, the model that set the stage for some of the most exciting road cars for decades to come.