Robert Downey Jr.’s unique SpeedKore-Modified 1974 BMW 3.0 CS
Robert Downey Jr. is perhaps one of the most established actors around the world. His name can be seen in the credits of films such as Iron Man (2008), Avengers: Endgame (2019), and many more. It seems that when Downey is not on screen with the Avengers, he can be seen driving around in his one-of-a-kind SpeedKore-Modified 1974 BMW 3.0 CS. Over the years Downey has established himself as quite the vintage car collector and has even collaborated with the Wisconsin-based custom shop on his 1970 Ford Mustang Boss 302 and a 1967 Chevy Camaro in which he gave to his co-star Chris Evans.
When it comes to power, Downey’s 1974 3.0 CS gets a whole lot of it. It gets modified with a 3.6-litre six-cylinder engine that can produce up to 232kW of power. This is of course is a massive improvement from its original 134kW M30 3.0-litre engine. It will come paired with BMW’S old ZF four-speed automatic transmission.
SpeedKore are best known for their incredible work on American-made muscle cars, so doing up this German classic was a bit out of their comfort zone. From what we have seen from the images of the red BMW E9 coupé, Downey has clearly put it in the right hands. Downey’s BMW is steel-bodied, which is unusual for the company. It seems that extensive metal restoration was taken place, with its carbon fiber roots still showing throughout its customized front air dam, rocker moldings, and rear bumper.
It seems that SpeedKore has kept the original BMW grille and have decided to go with a classic brick red exterior colour. The windows get surrounded in Cerakote titanium grey and will ride on a set of customized HRE C109 forged three-piece wheels. Another eye-catching exterior touch can be seen in the beltline molding, which gets finished in grey woodgrain.
In terms of interior, SpeedKore has pulled out all the stops and have actually remoulded every single piece of the BMW E9’s dashboard to make room for a stunning cluster and a hidden touchscreen infotainment display. Downey did make a few requests of his own, as the grey wood tone can also be seen on the Nardi steering wheel and dashboard. It also loses its rear seats and replaces it with an upholstered luggage deck.
Also worth a look: the BMW Glc and the BMW M3.
FAQ
Q: What engine does Robert Downey Jr.'s modified BMW 3.0 CS have?
Robert Downey Jr.'s SpeedKore-modified 1974 BMW 3.0 CS features a upgraded 3.6-litre six-cylinder engine producing 232kW, which is a significant jump from the original 134kW M30 3.0-litre engine.
Q: Who modified Robert Downey Jr.'s BMW 3.0 CS?
SpeedKore, a Wisconsin-based custom shop known for their work on American muscle cars, modified Robert Downey Jr.'s 1974 BMW 3.0 CS, stepping outside their usual comfort zone to work on this German classic.
Q: What makes Robert Downey Jr.'s BMW 3.0 CS special?
The car features a steel body (unusual for SpeedKore), carbon fibre elements in the front air dam and bumpers, a classic brick red paint job, Cerakote titanium grey window surrounds, custom HRE C109 forged wheels, and grey wood beltline moulding.
Q: How much would a 1974 BMW 3.0 CS cost in South Africa?
A standard 1974 BMW 3.0 CS in good condition would cost between R800,000 to R1,500,000 in South Africa, but a SpeedKore-modified version like Downey's would easily exceed R3,000,000 due to the extensive custom work and celebrity provenance.
Q: Is the BMW 3.0 CS worth buying as a classic car investment?
The BMW 3.0 CS is absolutely worth buying as values have steadily climbed over the past decade, with clean examples now commanding over R1,000,000 and showing strong appreciation potential for collectors willing to maintain them properly.
Should You Buy It?
If you can find a decent 1974 BMW 3.0 CS in South Africa for under R1,200,000, grab it with both hands. These E9 coupes are proper classics that tick all the boxes, beautiful lines, inline-six smoothness, and that timeless BMW character that makes every drive feel special. You won't get SpeedKore's magic touch for anything less than R3,000,000, but even a well-maintained standard 3.0 CS will give you 232kW worth of smiles and appreciate nicely in your garage. Just budget extra for maintenance because these beauties demand respect, and finding parts can be trickier than solving a Marvel plot twist.
