3-door early, 2-door late. Your VIN plus a three door storage would seem to answer that.

Your VIN would be "late". Only the first month of 79 production was CONSIDERED "early". The three door or two door storage compartment thing was a hit or miss thing in the last few weeks of production. My black79 was built 3 weeks from the end of 79 production and has the 3 doors. Actually I have NEVER seen 2 doors on any 79s I've ever looked at, and I always look at 78/79s!

There's also the 85 mph speedometer thing. They were used when supplies of the 140s ran out. My black79 does have that, the white one doesn't(vin in the 35000 renge).

BUT as for carpet, do you have a carpeted edging or welting that connects the rear carpet to the rear of the door opening? You should. That may be what they're looking for as that channel is gone towards the end of the year and on into the 80s. It just gets tucked in. And they probably ARE considering the number of compartment doors. So my guess on carpet would be early, as it is the same on the 78s. Confused now?