Yea I was kinda surprised too after what you were saying. I don't know if there is anyway to tell production date besides fender tags and what not which I don't have, but based on the door handles I have mine was an early year if they are the original handles. The early 69 handles were chrome with a black button, mid to late year used chrome with a chrome button. I could verify that with the front seats either having or not having headrests (early 69's didn't have them mid to late year had them due to increased safety reasons), but my front seats were long gone when I got the car so I am only basing its an early year based off handles which have aging so I know they are not repro.