[VaSteve]

I stopped by a standing (every Saturday) cruise in a couple of weeks ago in the Targa. I was in a rush and just parked it with the roof off took a quick walk around the parking lot to look at some concours (and unbelievably nice) old Mustangs.

When I returned to my car, a fellow was looking at it, complimented it and said "1983, right?". Of course he was, but how would he have guessed that? Perhaps a lucky guess? I should have asked him.

What are the visual clues?
Engine lid was down - no looking for smog pump remains
No measuring stick to measure ride height. (Mine's stock).
180 mph speedo (81-82 was 85 mph)
Dash (a/c) vents in the 70's SC were slightly different.
IIRC, carpet pile in 70's SCs was shaggier.
I think older SC's the fog light knob was different.
I can't think of anything else.

What could he have based his deduction on?