This 3.5-litre BMW CSL once owned by Jay Kay is up for auction

An old BMW once owned by a famous man with a penchant for excellent hats is coming up for auction. It’s not just any old BMW, though – it is a 3.5-litre FIA-spec 1973 BMW CSL. And it’s not just any famous man – it’s Jay Kay.

Yep, the Jamiroquai star – renowned for his taste in properly good machinery – was one of the custodians of this glorious Bimmer. Originally a regular 3.0-litre ‘E9’ CS road car, the late Tim Busby converted it into a racecar at some point in the late Eighties.

According to Iconic Auctioneers, Busby then “accumulated many excellent race results over the following 35 years on racetracks all over the world”, putting the Batmobile to good use. It was then sold to Iconic Auctioneers owner Nick Whale, who together with Ian Guest then continued racing the CSL throughout Europe, including appearances at Monza, Silverstone and Spa.

Alan Tice then bought it and raced it for a few seasons before selling it on to Jay Kay in 2013. Jay apparently invested a tonne of money into the Bimmer’s mechanicals and was said to have enjoyed a track day at Silverstone.

After four years, Jay sold it to its current owner, who again invested more money – six-figures plus, apparently – to bring the CSL right up to the “strenuous modern standards of historic motorsport”. Its official FIA accreditation papers are valid, we’re told, until 31 December 2027.

It was last fettled back in 2021 and hasn’t been touched since. Iconic Auctioneers is putting a guide price of between £160,000 and £180,000 when it comes up for auction on 18 May.