thanks Glen!
I had a guy on Ebay question the car's originality saying the VIN indicates it should be a Special, and as a Special, should have a 5 speed trans. He continued saying the dash was wrong. I disagreed with him and suggested he do his research and ask questions of this forum for the experts to chime in. Obviously not all Specials were equipped with 5-speeds. The dash is the same I've had in my JPS Europas of the same 1973 model year, so I don't know where this guy was coming from.
I admit and make note the engine is not matching numbers, but all else about the car appears quite correct and original to me. Oh yes, and some obvious mods such as the electronic ignition, adjustable shocks, and replacement brake boosters from Lockheed.
If only cars could talk and explain their own history!