Haven't read the book and can't fully comment, however Land Rover production years are not the same as model years.
Production for the next year's specification MY starts in September so that the vehicles are available at the destination dealer before January 1st. Hence my 1985 model Range Rover classic has an Australian VIN plate specifying a 10/84 build date.
The result is that type of error in books on Land Rovers is more a misunderstanding on the part of the reader, than a factual error in the book.
Wont say much else about the author as I've never met him although my 1951 Land Rover which should have been bronze green according to the book was actually beige from the assembly factory. (RACQ fleet order.)
Diana

