Ken,
Can you please send us your "model code" that is located on the firewall dataplate tag??? It will say something like "MA61L-BLMQEA", or something similiar. I'm mostly interested in the VERY LAST letter on the end. If it is a "A" then it is indeed a US spec car. If it is a "K" then it's a Canadian Spec car.
To properly translate your VIN#, you need to go here:
http://www.celicasupra.com/vininfo.htm
To properly translate your model code info, you need to go here, as suprasrock mentioned.
http://ourworld.compuserve.com/homepages/stepho/newcodes.htm
This much I do know at this point, since it has been discussed on the Yahoo list in the past.
Your July 1982 production date, indicates that you are near the end of the 82 production year & it's close to being one of the last ones made. There are still "some" that were made in the month of August, which tends to be the transition month for MKII's, as to when they roll over into the next model year.
It has been VERY WELL DOCUMENTED ON THE YAHOO LIST that the 130mph speedometer analog cluster was introduced for the 1984 model year, however, we did have one 83 P-Type (in East Texas) that was made in August 1984 (the VIN# did confirm that it was still a 83 car) that had the 130mph speedometer in it. The 130mph speedo was still NOT available for the 1982 or early early 1983 model year.
So depending on what the model code is telling us as to the car's "country destination", one of 2 things happened to your July 1982 dash cluster.
1. If it is INDEED a US spec car, someone DID swap in a 130mph speedometer into your dashboard. This IS a somewhat common cluster upgrade for those who want to get rid of their 85mph speedo. One of the main reasons for this, is because if you are CONSTANTLY PEGGING the 85 mph speedo all the time, then eventually it kills the speedometer sensor in the back of the cluster. When that happens, then your Cruise Control stops working.
2. If it is INDEED a Canadian spec car, then someone either did it to get rid of the 85 mph speedo, "OR" they wanted to get rid of the metric cluster that only goes up to 140 kmph (my "understanding" is that the early Canadian analog dash's were not metric??).
Let us know what the model code says on the firewall dataplate & get back to us.
BTW, it has ALSO been confirmed on the Yahoo list that NEITHER the VIN# or the model code will tell you if your car is a P-Type, or a L-Type. It will just depends on the interior code & the outside appearance.
To end this once arguement once & for all, can you post a picture somewhere??? :shock:
So from what I understand, the VIN doesnt indicate its L or P status? Other than what I mentioned, what things would dicatate this? As far as I know, all 82's (L or P) had the non-wrap around front turn signals (as mine has not wrap arounds) AND the black hatch and bumper regardless of color (which mine also was). So I have determined, I definitely have an 82... This I knew? Also, the flares have a bulge where the body trim goes into it. On a previous post, I read that on some mk2's you couldnt take the trim off because of this. Like I said before, considering the previous owner, I doubt he did all this work to change parts from two different types. It was 100% stock when I got it. Since all L's have the 85 speedo, and mine STOCK is the 130 I MUST have a P? Im more confused now than I was before.....
