Hi Steve,
I'll have to look through the owners handbook thoroughly for more clues.
You are correct, BMW Group Archives says it is an original Polaris car. The interior is black, which I believe to be original. Currently the car is painted white (possibly Chamonix.) I think when the early metallic paint failed the original owner opted to save some money and painted it white. The engine bay and trunk are still Polaris though, and I plan on leaving it that way. The stamped VIN number is also the original reddish primer.
I do have the original block, long neck diff, early driveshaft and transmission, generator, starter, etc.
The gentleman I bought it from stated when he first purchased the 1600, it had Alpina sway bars (which he put on his A4S 02), and Borrani turbo wheels. A box of parts that came with the car also had one of those cool Helphos Rally Spotlights in it.
Regards,
Jason