Hi Mart, Looks like your car has been coming along nicely.
I think you are right about changes in the years, 79-81 seem to be similar, and then 82-83 are their own style.
This 82 is the only one I have an opportunity to take apart. I have seen 79's at the JY but did not pay attention to the windshield. In my 79 parts list they show two fastener strips (upper and Lower). The upper lists one > July 81 and another aug 81 > although they show the same picture. The lower is shown as all the same.
Both slides show the plastic clips from your next picture but the descriptions are missing from the list (indicating NLA?)
Sorry I don't have clear answers for you. I never took the bottom stainless off, I will see if I can pull that this weekend to see what is under there.
Keep up the great work.......