Does anyone have any insider knowledge regarding build dates of 80s Fords other than VIN plate decoding?

I have a 1987 Fiesta 1.1 Ghia, with two previous owners, that last one since 1988. Completely original and unrestored, I’m convinced it’s never been in the rain since 1988, as it is in such great shape - a true survivor car and a credit to it’s previous owners care. The car was registered 16th February 1987 with the VIN decoding suggesting a build date in December 1986 making it an early face-lift model. I have been doing a spot of cleaning ahead of this year’s show season and found the starter motor still has it’s original sticker with a build date of week 51 in 1986.

This leads me to believe that the car must have been built after this, perhaps it was still on the production line over the Christmas shutdown and actually rolled off the line in January?

This is where the insider knowledge comes in. Would the starter motor have been made and then installed onto the car within a week? Are the build dates on VIN plate accurate or did they print batches of them and could it have rolled off the line in early January? An actual date would be amazing.

Any info would be gratefully received? Can anyone point me in the direction of someone who would know?




Sticker from starter motor
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