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Not the best pic but here it is

Just wanted to join the forum

I'm in the process restoring a 1983 Heritage which I bought new.

I don't know if the VIN can provide the build date?

Just wanted to join the forum since I'm in the process restoring a 1983 Heritage which I bought new. It's on its second engine and transmission and while it runs very well it was in need a lot of attention. I've just about completed the interior with fiberglass floorboards and all the interior switches etc. New radiator, air conditioning, and heater. All the plastic interior parts have been reinforced with fiberglass as well. Suspension has been replaced including steering, torsion bar supports, struts and shocks. It basically runs like a new car.


I can't seem to find a replacement wiper control box so I have to manually turn off the wipers but at least they work. I'm in the process now of exterior work and eventually will have it painted. A long time ago I removed anything that didn't have a direct input to engine functioning. The biggest problem I ever had with it aside from the dam cam timing gear with plastic gears was the crankshaft position sensor. Seems like it was a shoot some would last for only a short time and others longer. I actually drilled a hole through the alternator bracket so I could remove them without having to take off the alternator. Seems like the current sensor is holding up pretty well.

I've tried to determine the build date but I can't seem to find it on the interior door as that has been reworked for the door latch. I don't know if the VIN can provide the build date?
But in any case the VIN is 1FABP 406F1DA1228333  24 if this could indicate a build date?


Nice to see another 83 Heritage here....good luck with the restore.....i have mine coming up soon, got flooded from Hurricane Sandy....Chracoal Grey interior?  Replacement console from a Blue interior? Keep at it.  BTW your VIN is shows your car to be built in Atlanta...no date code in the VIN.  Possibly a build stamp on your shock tower.....

Welcome!



Cool!  :burnout:  Bought mine new also.  Good luck with it and keep us posted on your progress.



No it can't. If more build date/VIN combos were known, the VIN may give an indication of what timeframe the car may have been built but without the yellow date stamp or Marti report, the VIN won't tell you.

Just wanted to join the forum since I'm in the process restoring a 1983 Heritage which I bought new. It's on its second engine and transmission and while it runs very well it was in need a lot of attention. I've just about completed the interior with fiberglass floorboards and all the interior switches etc. New radiator, air conditioning, and heater. All the plastic interior parts have been reinforced with fiberglass as well. Suspension has been replaced including steering, torsion bar supports, struts and shocks. It basically runs like a new car.


I can't seem to find a replacement wiper control box so I have to manually turn off the wipers but at least they work. I'm in the process now of exterior work and eventually will have it painted. A long time ago I removed anything that didn't have a direct input to engine functioning. The biggest problem I ever had with it aside from the dam cam timing gear with plastic gears was the crankshaft position sensor. Seems like it was a shoot some would last for only a short time and others longer. I actually drilled a hole through the alternator bracket so I could remove them without having to take off the alternator. Seems like the current sensor is holding up pretty well.

I've tried to determine the build date but I can't seem to find it on the interior door as that has been reworked for the door latch. I don't know if the VIN can provide the build date?
But in any case the VIN is 1FABP 406F1DA1228333  24 if this could indicate a build date?

Rod, the Ford 999 report does give the build date which i verified as correct from my shock tower, so he can pay for a basic report and get the info he needs it.....

My new 83 is an Atlanta built car.  4/22 date stamp in yellow on the firewall, and a v8.  Pretty early car for a V8.  No buck tag which is consistent with all of the other Atlanta built cars i have seen from 83.  This car is an oddly optioned Bird, and i am ordering a Marti report which should hopefully reveal some interesting stuff.    I am working on a deal which would trade my low mileage LSC for another 83 Heritage with only 24K original miles, in showroom condition and almost fully loaded.  A factory black paint car too, which in 30+ years i can't recall seeing another black heritage or élan.  If i end up with the Black 83 also, i will photograph the heck out of that car, top to bottom.

You need a bigger garage :hick: