Question about '80s MIJ Strats

[Caffeine Patrol]

Hello,
Anybody know if the MIJ '62 style reissues from the '80s came with a hardshell case, and, if so, was it sort of like a 'thermometer' case?
Also, are the serial numbers on the neck as innaccurate for dating as the bridge plate serial numbers on MIJ Teles?

[sneakyjapan]

I own several, all of them have a pencil date on the neck butt. The serials on mine give a ballpark date, but hard to argue with the pencile date. Hardcase...not sure, never seen one from that time, have seen the soft cases they came with and have one from the JVs, those cases alone can sell for quite a bit here now. The hard case you mention may have been added later. Also, you may find more info as to exactly which model it is inside the neck pocket, check for a small blue/green sticker on the back of the headstock too, tells you the price in thousands of yen...the second set of digits in the neck pocket also tell you the price, for example a 62-65 meant in retailed for 65,ooo yen.