1/12th Otaki BMW 3.5CSL "Batmobile" Kit Collectors Guide

This is yet another addition to a rapidly growing series of "Big Scale" plastic model kit collectors guides. These guides were created to assist Collectors & Builders of these vintage Automotive and Motorcycle kits. Most of the kits are the earliest examples, and many are very rare. As a side hobby of my automotive interests, I've amassed a substantial collection of these kits, and learned much about their origins and specifics. Emphasis is always on Identification, History, Features, ect. Less information is provided on the actual build due to kit rarity. Any build info forwarded to me will be gladly included in this guide. Feel free to email with comments or questions.

** 1/12th Otaki BWW 3.5 CSL Kit (Non Motorized) **

IDENTIFICATION: Identifying this issue of the Otaki 1/12th Scale BMW 3.5 CSL is relatively easy. This non motorized second issue kit was issued three times. The reference kit used for this guide (see photo above) was the first (non motorized) kit, and there was a second that had different box art (see photo).

 The third and last issue had a different set of decals. The kit number on the endpanel of the box is OT3-86-3800. The 3800 is not part of the kit number, but rather the kit price in Yen. Most Otaki kits also carry a "Big Scale" kit number, but this kit does not. This kit is believed to have been manufactured in the late 70's to early 80's, but there are no known date codes anywhere in the kit. The reference kit still has it's original price tag of $99.99. A pretty steep price, and probably the reason there are so few of these kits out there. The Illustrated instruction manual is written entirely in Japanese. Additionally, there are 3 very large decal sheets sealed in their own cellophane wrapper. Decals appear to be for the BMW Factory Sponsored #25 car. I'm not aware of any aftermarket decals or trans kits for this model. See contents photos below;

As you can see, this is a large box, and is loaded with well over 300 parts. The body is a very impressive and large single molding. Parts are molded in White, Black, Chrome, Silver, Gray, and Clear. Tires are Semi Pneumatic Rubber Like Low Profile Dunlop's, and there appear to be Dry Transfer White Letters on a special decal sheet for lettering the sidewalls. Tires appear very wide, and have a very low profile. The kit has a load of features, including; Opening Hood, Doors, and Trunk. Working "Sprung" Suspension, Working Steering, and a highly detailed 3.5 liter Straight 6 BMW Engine. This kit looks like it ranks up there pretty close to Tamiya's Porsche 935 kit. There is a ton of detail in this kit. With a high parts count and instructions written entirely in Japanese, this kit would be a very challenging build. Any unbuilt examples of this kit are getting tough to locate for sale anywhere. I have seen a few well built kits, and from all indications, this is a killer kit. Building anything but a Factory Car with the supplied decals will require some serious painting skills. Beware of deteriorated tires or decals. I know of no sources for replacements. As of this writing, there are no examples of this kit being offered anywhere in the Vintage aftermarket. With luck and time, they come available, but can be pricey. Remember, this kit was $100.00 new, and it's highly unlikely to ever be re-issued.

** Kit Features **

** (4) Semi Pneumatic Rubber Like Dunlop Racing Tires

** Working Suspension with Functioning Shock Absorbers

** Working Steering

** Opening Hood, Trunk, and Doors

** Highly Detailed BMW 3.5 Litre Six Cylinder Fuel Injected Engine 

** 1/12th Otaki BMW 3.5CSL Kit History **

Otaki was one of the very few Japanese manufacturers to release "Big Scale" 1/12th scale car kits. They introduced their line of cars around 1974. Only the very earliest kits were fully motorized, and probably due to high costs/low sales, were re-issued as "Static Only" display kits. The BMW kit of this guide is one of the non-motorized re-issue kits. There are plastic parts in this kit from the original motorized version (battery box, ect), but they are unused. Otaki Big Scale Car Kits were primarily of street going American Muscle Cars, and European Sports Cars. This BMW kit was the only pure "Race Car" they manufactured. In fact, it is the only Big Scale kit of any BMW Automobile (not counting the Entex kit using the same molds). The BMW 3.5CSL modeled in this kit was one of four special M49/2 models built in 1975 to be campaigned by the BMW Factory in the North American IMSA GTO series. The "CSL" stood for; "Coupe Sport Leicht". The 3.5CSL's were built by BMW Motorsports Gmbh, a subsidiary of The Bavarian Motor Works. The original cars were gutted, and the radical Flared Bodywork, Wing, and Front Air Dam was added. Most of the added panels were Aluminum grafted over the Steel sub frame. Overall weight was around 2315 pounds. The 3.5 liter Six Cylinder Engines were rated at 440 hp. This was the first of what are now known as "M" cars from BMW's high performance division. Many Factory Prototype and Works machines earn nicknames, and this BMW is known in racing circles as the "Batmobile". A well earned name from it's appearance alone. This car battled the Brumos Porsche 934 RSR in 1975, only losing the IMSA GTO Camel GT Challenge Trophy in the very last race of the season. The Batmobiles were one of the very few cars that could really "get-it-on" with the Porsches.

The Factory BMW 3.5CSL #59 went on to win the 24 Hours of Daytona in 1976. Unaltered cars are very rare today, with only two of the original four Factory cars surviving with their original IMSA GTO Bodywork. One of those "Survivor" cars was the #59 that won Daytona in '76, and the other is car #25 (this kit) that is still owned by BMW. Many of the original 3.5CSL's raced into the late 1970's, but were heavily modified or wrecked along the way. Any unbuilt Otaki or Entex 1/12th scale kits of this car are rare. If you find one, you'll want to build it. For collectors, finding a nice one for the collection will be an exercise in patience.

** Pros And Cons **

Pros. A one of a kind kit in Big 1/12th Scale. No other BMW's out there. Loads of features and detail with a very high parts count. Overall accuracy to scale appears very good. This kit would make an excellent companion build to Tamiya's Martini Porsche 935. A definite keeper for the Big Scale collection.

Cons. Out of production for a very long time. Finding and obtaining a nice unbuilt kit takes patience and can be very pricey. Aged decals are impossible to replace. The same thing goes for deteriorated or missing tires. Building any car other than the Factory version will require expert painting skills (no aftermarket decals available). Instructions are entirely in Japanese, and with the high parts count and complexity, would make this a very challenging build. Almost certainly will never be re-issued.

I hope you find this latest collectors guide to be a useful reference. If you have found this guide helpful, take a moment to vote below. Feel free to email with comments or corrections. Keep an eye open for new guides in the future. Several rare Big Scale guides are currently in the works.