I did a search, but couldn't find any VISUAL differences between years and models... Is there anything you can tell by looking at the car that tells you what year/trim it is on the 1st gens?

-Tesla

 

the front of the sa's is blockier. steel bumpers etc. the fb's underneath the bumper are a little different as they swoop down at the bottom and have brake cooling slots cut in the sheet metal. the tail lights are different. sa's have the license plate in between the taillights where the fb's have a "one piece" plastic wrap. the fb's also have side markers in the back where the sa's don't.

sa: 79-80
fb: 81-85

 

also the sa's only have one windshield sprayer.

 

my 82 only has one windshield sprayer.

well, no
it has no windsheild sprayer because I broke it by accident.

oh well good time to get one of those cool lighted ones.

 

Wait...My 83 GSL only has one...I thought this to be odd...Maybe its not the original panel? I know for a fact that its an 83 too, the sticker says so...So does CarFax when I ran the VIN.

~T.J.

 

84 & 85 has the dual nozzles. thatis also when they added the slotted brake coolers as mentioned by jeremy. a more modern ( for the time) interior. thatcame with an 140 speedo and a 4 speed fan for the climate system. I believe badge descriptions were on the rear of the car as opposed to being on the side like the earler cars.

83 saw the removal of the lock on the gas door. a 130 speedo (only reads 120 but there are markings for 130)

81-82 saw the newer bumpers and taillights as noted. I have also nver seen a plaid interior. storage bins were installed. as well as a larger fuel tank, but a maller spare. receved the hillarious 85 speedo :p

79. hood rod moved to the drivers side.

78.5 hood rod on passengers side.
Richard

 

Plus SA's have those goofy looking tail lights .

~T.J.

 

Well said,

Let me include that the 83+ no longer have an exterior key lock for the Gas door, so the release is from inside only.

Also, GSL's have rear wipers, rear disc's and sunroofs.

S models don't bring sunroofs.

S and GS have drum rear brakes

GSL-SE, available only in 84-85, 14 inch flat rims.
There's more differences, but hard to tell from just a quick exterior look.

 

who's tail lights you callin' funny lookin' foo?