My '82 was released 08/02/82. It was sold a year later....08/09/83. A little odd.
I spoke with a fleet manager in NO who was around and just starting out back then. He told me that an order like the '82 would have been delivered to his dealership, but probably would have been destined for the testing center Ford had nearby.
All I know for sure is that the car was sold in MO in '83 at a Ford dealership. I have a feeler out with some Ford people for some more info and I'm just waiting to hear back.