mdvineng said:
wouldn't 000 be early 1980?
interesting find. wouldn't the warranty date be from the sold date and not made date.
Peter Mac's opinion of the 'inkie' serial number scheme is likely to be the most well regarded opinion; I would think.
I have yet to read other opinions & his opinions seem to be typically well received.
It is interesting that Peter addresses the 010**** & the 110**** serial schemes earlier in the thread but not the 000**** sequence.
000**** would certainly seem to suggest an early 1980 time frame for the typical, impressed serial numbers; I would agree on that.
I also agree that the dates on the original store warranty card are based on a purchase date, not a manufacture date.
Having said that, I still see (some) room for debate on on the 'inkie' serial number scheme that includes 000****, 010****, and 110****, as far as I know at this point.
Since the warranty date listed on the store warranty card is early into 1981, since the 000**** is a new curve ball in my 'inkie' serial number experience, and considering the room for debate as far as inkie date schemes are concerned, I was allowing the possibility that the example I have could be either a 1980, or a 1981. To my thinking 1980 seems more logical but we all know how these MIJs end up throwing us the curve balls. :lol:
I will have to add just one more thing: With as many Tokai examples I have had in my hands over the course of many years, this is the only time I have ever seen what is obviously a store warranty card. It is not uncommon to see Tokai warranty cards.
To see this 000**** inkie serial LS example show up with a store warranty card that is dated ~40 years ago, and to see it dated with the Showa era year designation of 56, is something I actually never even thought of seeing. I'm really glad it was in the case.