Re: Very unusual Ur-q. '83/'84 ?

[Dave Lawson <dlawson@digitalglobe.com>]

Martin,
>
I finally got to see the car that is was offered to me for sale.
The funny thing is that it is kind of puzzling.
The car was built in December of 1982 according to the sticker by the 
door.  It is a Canadian model with kilometers / hour speedo.
The car has a 1983 VIN  number ending with digits 114.
>
How about the last 8 digits of ther VIN, THis will include the year and
production number.
 
>
What is unusual is that the car has:
- -Underhood fuse box!!
>

Later build 83s had this, early cars had the rabbit type fusebox under the
dash.

>
- -4kq style suspension. I.e. no rear sway bar and drop links on the 
front sway bar.
>
Same comment and above. Suspension hanged round VIN D0545 or close.

>
- -The dash illumination is red.  (I don't know if all TQC have that)
>
THey are all this way.

>
- -It has the two stage diff locking mechanism. (I know some '83 TQC's 
had the one stage "lock it all or nothing" mechanism)
>
Same comment again for later build 83s.

>
The parts look like they came with the car.
There is a full history of this car including the original bill of 
sale showing it was purchased in June of 1983 for $38,000 CDN.
The paint looks good only from a distance (it was resprayed couple of 
years ago) and it has a few runs.  There is a deep scratch about 2 
inches long on the rear fender flare (ouch!) and the color is Mars 
Red (yuck!).
Considering the year and equipment, is this a fairly unique 
automobile when compared to other TQC's?  Could this special 
equipment really be factory original?
>
Sounds like a basic US/Canada spec ur-q, nothing special.
-
Dave