Well, I've been chatting with Bleasie who is the curator of sorts for the Cabriolet Register. I'll relay what I've learned:

Build Date 25-Nov-85 Despatched to Germany Dec 85. Sold new 20-Mar-86.

Federalized in 1987, Imported by ENGLISH SPORTS CARS LTD as a new car. Fitted with wire wheels. Apparently no modifications needed to be made, which is why the third taillight wasn't added.

Sold @ Barret Jackson in 1999 lot number 1044 for $15,660.00.

It has been for sale on E Bay in Oct 2012 & March 2013. Fitted with the factory correct starfish wheels and new tires then.

Clean CarFax. The VIN does not conform to all US decoders, which could explain why it incorrectly interpreted it as a Coupe.

More info here: http://www.xjsdata.com/cars/detail/?...JNACW4CC128271

Mystery Solved!

 

The car has no warranty history in DDW. It may have come over here in 1986. Did you check Carfax?

 

Yes, the 1987 was a typo, my apologies. It came over in 1986. I have not yet, because I'm assuming the dealer will provide it to me free of charge. Bleasie only stated that the CarFax was clean.

 

Good sleuthing!!!

It is interesting though that the xjsdata report shows the original VIN and does not mention the new one?

 

That is interesting. Only reason I could think of is that the new VIN doesn't conform to US VIN decoders, so maybe they assumed the original one would be more helpful/accurate in identifying the car?