In a message dated 97-02-13 09:53:20 EST, CARVER_JEFFREY@aphub.aerojetpd.com
(Jeff Carver) writes:

>The only visible distinction is the air intake for the engine.
>1980 was the only year that did NOT have a plastic vent cover.

That is incorrect, I have seen numerous EARLY '81's - even a april '81, with
no plastic air intake grilles - still had the bus-like metal fins. I have
seen a November '81 with the plastic, so they must have changed it mid-year.
I guess August is VW's changeover year anyway - so It was probably changed in
August. 

chris