Earlier today at a used cars lot, I looked at a 245 with turbo and intercooler. Funny thing is, salesman said it was a '85, but it had commando bumbers. I thought anything newer than '83 had plastic bumpers. On the radiator core support is a big sticker saying it was made in Nova Scotia, any difference? Car is faded silver, crappy volvo roof rack, minimal rust, M46 and black leather. He's asking $800, think i'll offer $500. Anyone else interested? car's in east Tennesee.

Could the salesman just be jacked......oh...thats a stupid question.

The commando bumpers were not replaced by the new style lightweight ones until 1986 in Canada, when the fenders changed.
As far as I know the US is the only country to ever get the new bumpers on the early fenders, as we did 83-85.
Europe made the change in 1980/81.
--
1981 242 GLTi 1967.5 122S
Seattle, WA

I had an '85 244 DL that was actually built in Sweden in '83 and then shipped to Nova Scotia to be fitted for the US. It had the real bumpers (not plastic)

Had to upgrade to a '91 after my car was disintergrating from the Northeast rust

Joyca

My mom's '84 240 made in Nova Scotia has the old style bumpers. Don't know about the CDN '85's though.
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1980 245 Canadian B21A with SU carb and M46 trans

You are correct on the bumper and model years. It may have been swapped over from an earlier model after a fender-bender. As for being made in Canada, quite possible, but run the VIN to see if it's a US spec or not. A cross check here will reveal the proper year, engine, and market.

Make sure the VIN matches on all three spots too - plate under the hood, by the passenger side door on the A-pillar, and the dash.

-- Kane
--
Blossom II -'91 745Ti/M46 ... Bubbles -'74 144GL/BW35 ... Buttercup -'86 245GL/AW70
The Wayback Machine -'64 P220/M40 ... The ParaBox -'90 745GL/AW70

It should have the later bumpers. Did the trim on the top of the bumpers look right? Someone probably replaced them for some reason, including an accident.
But, for $500, if the car is straight, what would it matter?