The original tailgates did not have the "ROTARY POWER" or the "MAZDA" embossed into the metal. they were appplied as vinyl decals. The very early tailgates also had two horizontal metal stiffners (lines) embossed into the skin. later ones only have one.
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Manteca Mazda Asylum
where a boy and his cat live, without adult supervision
...you may have that backward, Orville... (or do I...?!?)
At least as far as I was aware, the 'single stiffener' tailgates were the very early ones...(which would be in keeping with my most recent accquisition, which has a manufacturing date of 1/74 on the door tag...).
Sharp eye there Klaus! I am the one who has it backwards. The early ones really have the single stiffner and the later ones have the two stiffeners. Hope to see you one of these days.
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Manteca Mazda Asylum
where a boy and his cat live, without adult supervision