Identifying a real JPS E30

[Peto]

I am helping to repair an 84 model 3 series that I am told is a JPS 323 E30.
I am interested to find out if the car is an original JPS or a replica.
It's a black coupe with a gold pin stripe. The car has been off the road for many years and alot of bits were robbed so it's hard to pick it's originality.
Can some one help me with any info?

[Stevin]

Ohhh, John Player Special, nice, if it is the real thing, we had them sponsoring our 325is Group N cars back in the day

[Street Surgeon]

Pics? What is the difference between a jps and a regular E30? I'd assume you take the vin to the bmw dealer and they could tell ya.

[Scarecrow]

If only it was that easy.

The JPS cars were built by the factory as stock cars. As they rolled off the production line they were picked up by Frank Gardiner (i think) who turned them into the JPS spec road cars.

I have been to BMW and taken my VIN number and my car came up blank. This is because the cars were done up as JPS cars after they came off the production line. Its almost impossible to tell from the VIN or Chassis codes if its a real JPS or not.

Your best bet to telling if its real or not is
1) The JPS Badges located on the rear pillar leading down the the boot or on the front quarter panel.
2) Some mild engine work (nothing serious, just more potent than a stocky 323i)
3) Optional 'alpina' style 16'' wheels with the alpina logo replaced by the JPS symbol. Or the stocky 15'' wheels but with a painted gold centre
4) Factory Schwartz black body
5) Gold pinstripe
6) Seats may have JPS logo on them but that isnt a good indicator

The best bet is the badges in the body. Only the real cars have them, they arent like the ///M badges which you can buy at any BMW dealership. The only JPS badges that i know of are on the cars... I have asked BMW to source me some more cos im worried about some little ratbag pinching the JPS badges off my car and not even BMW can find more.

I have a JPS 323i and after much research and lots of time spent on it i am prett confident that its a real JPS. I hope you find that your car is just as special.

[ultima_chi]

Hello!! Can we see some pics?

[Scarecrow]

If you have a look in my gallery there is a pic of my car before i bought it.. better pics will be added shortly

[DTME30ic]

The steering wheel also has a JPS badge in it instead of a BMW one.

I have heaps of ppl asking me if my wheels are JPS, but I think they are just BBS RS that were made painted with gold centers. The inner wheel barrels are gold too.

[Scarecrow]

JPS wheels or not. You car is gorgeous! What springs did you use to lower it?

[e30frosh]

HOly schnit....I need new shorts after that pic...Dat is 1 sexxxxy ride scarecrow...

[sovann]

I always thought JPS cars had one-piece BBS RA wheels, not RSs?

I've attached a pic of a mate's JPS ('1984 JPS' on these forums)

btw Scarecrow, your JPS Baur is seriously hot, especially with the Alpinas (although they look like RG replicas???)

[Scarecrow]

Big fan of your friends JPS... liking the front skirt!! Does it have the JPS badges? i cant tell from the pic.
I am loading more pics of mine soon, ones with the roof off etc.. As far as i know the wheels are alpina ones, but then again, im not certain.
Any suggestions on where i can get a more agressive front skirt?
Thanks for the comments ppl, its nice to know that others like my car too

[sovann]

Yes, his car has the JPS badges on the C-pillars - I've attached another pic showing them.

*Andy, sorry for whoring out your car *

Paint on your baur looks mint Scarecrow Those JPS cars have really lush paint, really deep and glossy with no metallic flakes. Looking forward to seeing more pics. Put up some of your 6er too

Your wheels look a lot like mine - mine are replicas made by RG (an Italian company I think???). The centre covers come off with a 4mm allen key - underneath mine near the bolt holes are the letters 'RG.' I believe genuine Alpinas have slightly smaller centre covers and little covers for the hex bolt. Most of the non-genuine 16" Alpinas I've seen or heard of in Oz are RG reps.

For front front skirts, perhaps have a look at www.carshine.com.au

[CleanAzzE30z]

Oh my god. Yet another E30 added to the extra-rare awesome edition variation. I literally have never heard of these. These came from the factory this way? Was this solely an Aussie car? Nice Alpinas. I am amazed and wow that is one clean looking example. Im very intrigued cuz I have never heard of this one and I know nothing about it. Were these made for homologation purposes of some sort? Man I need to know, haha. All the little rare editions (333i's, 320is's, Evo 2's S.A., E12 M528i's, E23 745i's, etc.) of every car fascinate me. Especially the ones that were real specific in terms of regions.

[Vince Ochs]

Very cool, never heard of this variant. Anyone know of approximate numbers produced and what years? Kind of reminds me of the Walter Wolf Suzuki RG250 replica back in the day.

[Chris E30 Cab]

nice JPS's..........just to add to the list, the JPS edition E30's were available in Asia as well.