I have two sources of info on the production date, one says 1966 the other is 1967.....I think the more reliable is 1967.
Yes it would be a higher hp machine.....went from 160hp to 180hp at sr. #48A6883.
Sounds like a pretty good unit (after sorting out the heating problem)
Good luck if you pursue it.
thanks for the information magnet,wish i knew more about this machine it's only 6 miles from me.