The first time I discovered a roller 'teener on the job was a red '85 Dippy, the head gasket started leaking on #7, just past the warranty....not a ton of miles for the year on it either. Sam also had an '83 Cordoba, gold w/a brown top, all well maintained & garaged indoors.....one never knows.
yeah the year break with roller motors is kind of odd, lots of numbers thrown around but to my (albeit limited) knowledge there wasn't a set in stone date for the roll out. i've seen stuff as early as 85 have 'em and as late as 89 not.
there was a old guy locally that had an absolutely *mint* 'doba; that light blue with maroon interior. bought it new at the dealer nicely optioned 360 4bbl car and i wanna say he had them put mirada rims on it? it had headers and duals and he'd light 'em up every now and then. dig those crazy land barges.