Back in the mid-1980s BMW was heavily involved in Australian motorsport through its factory-backed John Player Special touring car team and also produced a limited edition inspired by this program.
Led by Ron Meacham, BMW Australia entered touring car racing with Frank Gardner and Allan Grice in 1981, but this partnership dissolved at the end of the year. Enter Jim Richards.
The New Zealander left a competitive co-drive with the Holden Dealer Team having already won three Bathurst 1000s partnering Peter Brock to spearhead BMW’s attack lasting until the end of the original program.
Competitiveness for BMW was very up and down during the Group C era, but came into its own when Group A was introduced in 1985.
A long development regime had already completed in Europe ensuring the JPS BMWs of Richards and Neville Crichton dominated the 1985 Australian Touring Car Championship, as the New Zealander took the title.
In tribute to this season, BMW launched a limited run of 70 323i John Player Specials.
Powered by a 2.3-litre ‘M20’ straight-six delivering 110kw gets sent through the rear wheels via a five-speed manual transmission.
This limited edition BMW is identifiable by its black base and gold pin striping matched by the BBS wheels, unique JPS badging, plus front and rear spoilers.
Under the skin, Bilstein suspension and limited slip diff ensured the handling was superb.
Inside, the interior consists of Recaro race seats, with black half vinyl and grey textured velour cloth upholstery.
Options included tinted windscreen, heated rear screen, push-out rear windows, onboard computer, air conditioning, BMW-branded Bavaria cassette stereo, electric sunroof, electrically operated windows and door mirrors.
Of course the next season, the Gardner-led team introduced a 323i to its touring car program featuring new driver Tony Longhurst.
A uniquely Australian BMW sounds strange, but a JPS is just that!