The first part deals with all the different models from 1982 to 2004 and how to spot the differences.

The second part tells you how to read the chassis number and check the year it was manufactured.

The third part deals with buying a second hand JBA.  

What do these  three JBA  letters stand for, they are made up using the first letter of each directors surnames who started the company. Ken Jones: John Barlow: Dave Ashley.

1982 The JBA Falcon Roadster.

The first JBA Falcon was a two seater named The Roadster, which had an all aluminium body, including the doors and a rear sloping section to enclose the petrol tank, reminiscent of the 1930's style. The car was fitted with a vertical windscreen and fiberglass wings. The sidescreens were clip on far larger than the doors. Many people call this the Original Falcon. The car pictured above is the first JBA Falcon Roadster Factory Demonstrator 1982.

You can easily spot a Roadster as the bottom of the windscreen frame curves backwards towards the door and is bolted to the side of the scuttle. Also the doors are made from aluminium.

1985 The JBA Javelin

The JBA Javelin was introduced at the start of 1985 The car was based on the Ford Capri MKII and MKIII.  Production run 1985 till 1989 The chassis number. did not have an end tag, instead it was given the prefix FJ. More on the Javelin Click Here.

1985 The JBA Falcon Plus 2.

Photo courtesy of Ceri Williams JBA Owners Club.

A new model was introduced and was called a Plus Two (Plus 2). This was much larger than the Roadster. The car was fitted with a rear bench seat, able to accommodate two children, up to the approximate age of eight, hence Plus 2.
The car had a steel body frame construction.  Also introduced on this model for the first time, was a rear opening glassfibre boot.

1988 The JBA Falcon Sports.

Photo courtesy of John Skillen ex-JBA Owners Club.

Re-introduction of a two seater named The Sports 12feet 6inches long. This was smaller, lower and more sporty looking than the Plus 2 and had a smaller sloping windscreen bolted to the side of the scuttle. The Sports did not have a rear opening boot at this stage. However, a new central body unit was introduced made of glass reinforced  fibre. This was the first  JBA Falcon to have the cockpit made of Glassfibre called the central boy unit.  (CBU).  The boot area housed the fuel tank which was closed in using aluminium panels.   The Cortina version has remained in production from 1988 to the present time, year 2001.
It is given the identification tag (S) at the end of the chassis number.

1990 The JBA Falcon Tourer.

Photo courtesy of Mike Cushley.

The Tourer Cortina based 13feet 9inches long, was a direct replacement for the Plus 2. Owners had the option of having a larger two seater touring car or adding a rear bench seat same as the Plus 2. It can be identified by the sloping windscreen bolted to the side of the scuttle.
The identification letter is (T) at the end of the chassis number. Production run from 1990 to the present time year 2001.

Photo courtesy of Alex Sargent.

1991 The JBA Falcon Sports SR.

JBA continued development of their cars using Ford components. Now they turned their attention to the Ford Sierra. The first Sierra based model The Sports was made in 1991.This was same shape as the Sports Cortina version, but involved designing a new chassis and central body unit. The windscreen is bolted to the side of the scuttle. Many improvements have been made to this model in the last nine years, these include a lockable boot, similar but slightly smaller, than the Tourer boot. A sloping radiator grill. Interior and exterior refinements to comply with the latest regulations.
The chassis identification letters are (SR) 
The production run 1991 to end of 2004.

1993 JBA Falcon TSR

Photo courtesy of Phil Whittaker. JBAOC.

The Tourer TSR  The correct model name is " Falcon TSR".  Had the same treatment as the Sports SR. A choice of a large two seater touring car or with an additional  bench seat in the rear.
The TSR like the SR has had many improvements over the last seven years and production continues into 2001.
Model Identification letters are (TSR) at the end of the chassis number.

Shown below are two 1993 models a JBA Falcon Tourer  (Cortina based) and a JBA Falcon Sports SR (Sierra based) These kits left the JBA Factory in 1993 and were built by their owners. The Tourer was on the road in April 1995 and the Sports SR in July 1995. These were fitted with the new stainless steel hood retaining bar, instead of studs.

Photo courtesy of Mike Cushley.

This photo shows the difference in height between the Sports & Tourer. The Tourer on the left is longer and higher with wider doors, than the Sports on the right. Both models and the TSR have a sloping windscreen bolted to the side of the scuttle.

Ford Cortina or Ford Sierra Based.

Sports or Tourer including SR and TSR.

Other Indicators.  The front tray butts against radiator shell on the Sports, but on the Tourer it slides underneath.

1995

The new style sports called Falcon Sports SR MK2 was introduced in 1995 and was fitted with a sloping radiator grill and rear boot similar to the Tourer TSR. The difference being the Tourer TSR boot is larger than the Sports. The fuel tanks are different as well. The Tourer TSR is rectangular and the Sports slopes on one side. Still retains model tag (SR).

The first new style Sports model was built by Derek Bintcliffe from Lancashire.

Remember Models given the SR tag, denotes that the car is Sierra based. 
e.g. Sports SR: Sports SRi: and Falcon TSR (Tourer TSR) are all Sierra Based.

SRi denotes sports fitted with fuel injection engine. Retains model tag (SR).

All the models could be fitted with various types of engines. It was the owners builders choice.

Chassis Numbers

A vehicle identification plate bearing the chassis number is supplied by JBA and fixed by the builder in prominent position, usually in the engine bay. However this number is also stamped on the chassis. 

How to read a chassis number. 

FF95078605SR

Above is how a chassis number is stamped by JBA Engineering Ltd. The number above is an actual chassis number and belongs to the JBA Factory Demonstrator Sports SRi.  Below is how to interpret it.

Normally a JBA takes from 1 - 2 years to build. However builders can take a lot longer, through a variety of personal reasons.

A chassis number depicting 1993 might not be on the road till 1995 or even longer. 

 JBA Retaining Donor Car Registration Number 

 The registration document (log book DVLC), although changed to show JBA Falcon takes its year of manufacture from the original donor. In my own case I used a 1983 Sierra and bought my kit in 1993. The log book states JBA Falcon year of first registration 1983. This is the date the Sierra was first registered. The JBA kit was purchased ten years later.
 *No longer applies September 2001. Age Related Number Issued, Instead of Donor Number.

* Copied from :- http://www.dvla.gov.uk/vehicles/regrebil.htm

* D. Kit Conversions

This is where a kit of new parts is added to an existing vehicle or old parts are added to a kit comprising a manufactured body/chassis/monocoque bodyshell. The general appearance of the vehicle will change and result in a revised description on the registration document.

A vehicle will retain its donor registration mark if either the original unmodified chassis or unaltered monocoque bodyshell and two other major components are used.

If a new monocoque bodyshell or chassis from a specialist kit manufacturer is used (or an altered chassis/bodyshell from an existing vehicle) together with two major components from a donor vehicle, an age related mark will be assigned. The mark will be based on the age of the donor vehicle. An SVA test will be required to register the vehicle. 

Where there are insufficient parts from a donor vehicle or in cases where the original registration mark is unknown, an SVA certificate will be required to register the vehicle and a 'Q' prefix registration number will be allocated.

Q Plate JBA

A Q registered car takes it date from the second Registration. For example A 1975 registered Cortina is used as the donor car. The builder uses this car to build a JBA in 1985. The build is completed by 1987 and when presented for registration it is given a Q plate. The log book will show JBA date of first registration 1987. This vehicle may be given a DVLA generated chassis number and plate to replace JBA alloy chassis plate, this number may have to be stamped somewhere on the chassis, even although the JBA Engineering Ltd chassis number is still displayed on the chassis frame.

Buying Secondhand.

There are no rust problems with the JBA.  The chassis is separate and is four inch by two inch steel section. The body is constructed of aluminium and glassfibre.

Check that the chassis has not received accident damage.

If buying from a dealer check the chassis number using the guide above. Dealers do not know a lot about these models and confuse the models, even to such an extent as saying it is Sierra based, when in fact it is Cortina based.

The Body.

There are very few problems with the body and those that do appear are easily rectified. The main problems that you may find are the glassfibre CBU flexing round the door areas at the door hinges or the door lock striker plate. This sometimes happens if the builder forgets to use mild steel backing plates or brackets in these areas, but they are easily made up. 
The Roaster model  82-85 was fitted with a wooden floor, check the condition of the floor.

Spare Wheel & Boot.

On some builds the spare wheel can be a bit wobbly, but once again all it needs is mild steel brackets fitted behind on aluminium booted models and wooden backing on the glassfibre opening boots. Aluminium edging trim can be purchased from people such as Woolies. 

Interior. 

The interior can suffer from normal wear and tear, but as the panels are individual they can be recovered with material of your choice.

The Dashboard can also be rejuvenated using the existing instruments, by making up a new dash out of Marine Plywood or your great aunt's favourite wardrobe. Veneer and imitation veneer like on modern cars is available from outlets such as Europa.

Carpets can be changed quite easily.

Mechanical. 

A normal check, as with any car, to make sure it is roadworthy.

Check the engine for wear and change the cambelt for a new one. Same with  the fanbelt, oil & filters, fuel filters etc.

All JBA models are based on Ford cars and spares can be obtained quite cheaply from local motor factors and other outlets. Things like ball joints, steering parts, water pumps, hoses and belts etc.

Below is a list of dates of registration prefixes showing the year they were issued.