Uploaded June 2025 | Updated September 2026, 1 week ago
Customising a Lesney Matchbox Superfast No. 45D BMW 3.0 CSL, in the Superfast range from 1976 until 1981.
This week, I ask the question: is this the worst Matchbox replica model ever created? Is there another model less representative of the car it is meant to be a scaled down version of? And can I improve it at all with detailing, or is it a lost cause?
Lesney in the 70s were desperate to play catch up with Mattel and their Hot Wheels brand. The firm had responded earlier in the decade with low-friction wheels on everything. Then, they went mad with their fantasy castings, so far as a hot rod road roller. Then came dodgy castings like this 45D BMW 3.0 CSL. It is so far off the mark it's barely recognisable. It is too short and too wide, and the base incorporating both front and rear ends simply doesn't work for a car that has a distinct sharp nose and curvaceous rear. What were Lesney thinking?
The real BMW 3.0 CSL was a lightweight performance coupé developed in 1972 by the German marque as a homologation special. They wanted to take it racing, and that they did as it dominated the European Touring Car Championship through the late 70s. It even took class victory at it's Le Mans debut in 1973.
Help support the channel via Patreon:
patreon.com/DiecastRestos
Or become a YouTube member to get access to unique perks:
youtube.com/channel/UCnejV0mBuRlTcGcnIit2_0A/join
Take a look at the DieCastRestos Instagram page here:
instagram.com/DieCastRestos
If you'd like to send me something, get in touch via email here:
jason.crouch88@gmail.com
Music by Karl Casey
@whitebataudio
Hackers
youtube.com/watch?v=NZ4Of3lID84
Millenia
youtube.com/watch?v=2BDZBt_flmU
Atlantis
youtube.com/watch?v=4TQz4apX7dk
Luminous
youtube.com/watch?v=vk_Q4RxWOas
Image credit:
BMW 3.0 CSL:
upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/8/84/BMW_%28E9%29_%286577891673%29.jpg/2560px-BMW_%28E9%29_%286577891673%29.jpg
BMW 3.0 CSL rear:
upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/3/32/BMW_3.0_CSL_%286118748922%29.jpg
BMW 3.0 CSL 'Batmobile':
upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/2/27/1974_BMW_3.0_CSL_HCC24.jpg/2560px-1974_BMW_3.0_CSL_HCC24.jpg
1973 BMW 3.0 CSL ETCC:
upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/5/5d/Zandvoort_Trophy_toerwagens%2C_groep_II%2C_T_Hezemans_in_aktie%2C_Bestanddeelnr_926-6026.jpg/2560px-Zandvoort_Trophy_toerwagens%2C_groep_II%2C_T_Hezemans_in_aktie%2C_Bestanddeelnr_926-6026.jpg
1973 BMW 3.0 CSL Le Mans:
upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/c/c5/BMW_3.0_CSL_%2843993422401%29.jpg/2560px-BMW_3.0_CSL_%2843993422401%29.jpg
1976 BMW 3.5 CSL:
upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/4/49/BMW_4n3_40029.jpg
Outro footage credit:
youtube.com/watch?v=s7w6GA7ulK8
#Matchbox #Diecast #Custom
Customising a Lesney Matchbox Superfast No. 45D BMW 3.0 CSL, in the Superfast range from 1976 until 1981.
This week, I ask the question: is this the worst Matchbox replica model ever created? Is there another model less representative of the car it is meant to be a scaled down version of? And can I improve it at all with detailing, or is it a lost cause?
Lesney in the 70s were desperate to play catch up with Mattel and their Hot Wheels brand. The firm had responded earlier in the decade with low-friction wheels on everything. Then, they went mad with their fantasy castings, so far as a hot rod road roller. Then came dodgy castings like this 45D BMW 3.0 CSL. It is so far off the mark it's barely recognisable. It is too short and too wide, and the base incorporating both front and rear ends simply doesn't work for a car that has a distinct sharp nose and curvaceous rear. What were Lesney thinking?
The real BMW 3.0 CSL was a lightweight performance coupé developed in 1972 by the German marque as a homologation special. They wanted to take it racing, and that they did as it dominated the European Touring Car Championship through the late 70s. It even took class victory at it's Le Mans debut in 1973.
Help support the channel via Patreon:
patreon.com/DiecastRestos
Or become a YouTube member to get access to unique perks:
youtube.com/channel/UCnejV0mBuRlTcGcnIit2_0A/join
Take a look at the DieCastRestos Instagram page here:
instagram.com/DieCastRestos
If you'd like to send me something, get in touch via email here:
jason.crouch88@gmail.com
Music by Karl Casey
@whitebataudio
Hackers
youtube.com/watch?v=NZ4Of3lID84
Millenia
youtube.com/watch?v=2BDZBt_flmU
Atlantis
youtube.com/watch?v=4TQz4apX7dk
Luminous
youtube.com/watch?v=vk_Q4RxWOas
Image credit:
BMW 3.0 CSL:
upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/8/84/BMW_%28E9%29_%286577891673%29.jpg/2560px-BMW_%28E9%29_%286577891673%29.jpg
BMW 3.0 CSL rear:
upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/3/32/BMW_3.0_CSL_%286118748922%29.jpg
BMW 3.0 CSL 'Batmobile':
upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/2/27/1974_BMW_3.0_CSL_HCC24.jpg/2560px-1974_BMW_3.0_CSL_HCC24.jpg
1973 BMW 3.0 CSL ETCC:
upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/5/5d/Zandvoort_Trophy_toerwagens%2C_groep_II%2C_T_Hezemans_in_aktie%2C_Bestanddeelnr_926-6026.jpg/2560px-Zandvoort_Trophy_toerwagens%2C_groep_II%2C_T_Hezemans_in_aktie%2C_Bestanddeelnr_926-6026.jpg
1973 BMW 3.0 CSL Le Mans:
upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/c/c5/BMW_3.0_CSL_%2843993422401%29.jpg/2560px-BMW_3.0_CSL_%2843993422401%29.jpg
1976 BMW 3.5 CSL:
upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/4/49/BMW_4n3_40029.jpg
Outro footage credit:
youtube.com/watch?v=s7w6GA7ulK8
#Matchbox #Diecast #Custom
