Conundrum - V8 90 ex UK

[brookvale]

Hi all, I'm helping a mate import a 1983 V8 90 from NZ to Aus.
The Aus "vsimports' infrastructure department is querying the build year of the truck.
The LR VIN plate on the brake servo is SALLDVBV7AA302091
This decodes to build year 1983, 1984 from the UK, with 3.5V8
and "LT85, LT77, LT77S, R380 or other"
The truck came into NZ in 1994 but somehow got officially labelled "build year 1988"

Questions for the experts:
How come an 83/84 truck comes with a V8 officially numbered as such from the factory?
Wasn't the first official V8 powered LR, the 109 Stage 1?

And, there is a genuine LR aircon fitted in the LF guard.
Is this a NAS spec unit perhaps added later?

We've yet to go to Motor Heritage for the original build detail certificate.
Anyone have any clues as to what spec this truck was originally built?

I would have tried this via a UK forum but most seem to be inhabited by oddballs...
thanks
Neil

[brookvale]

NZ certification plate after some modifications.
"Year" now shown as 1988

[Dervish]

The year on the NZ compliance plate looks like 1983 to me. Interesting, as 90 production supposedly didn't begin until 1984. If the chassis number matches the brake pedal tower plate I would be reasonably confident it is a 1984 Land Rover 90 County V8. Yes, the first V8 Land Rovers were Stage Ones - in 1981-1983.

For what it's worth, the AC is plain old County spec - plenty here in Aus with the same set up. I don't know what the NAS vehicles had in terms of AC, but they would have pedal towers where that unit sits.

[brookvale]

Thanks - AC was never a priority in NZ in the good old days, so quite rare here. maybe someone retro-fitted it
The number on the chassis leg matches the build plate so I'll go with your vote as 1984

Now comes the battle to persuade Aus that the NZ compliance plate (definitely 1988) and transport database history is wrong...
cheers