The 77 is on all Historic Vehicle plates. I remember even though my 68 was first registered in November 67 I had to wait until January 93 to get the plates. Ran for a few years and then switched back to regular plates. Now going with old AZ and not paying the extra $25 a year. Now your 77 FJ40 would be correct. My 89 has never had any other plates. When I bought it in 93 the plates still stayed with the vehicle. The maroon plates were the first plate that didn't have a year stamped when they were introduced and weren't replaced when the next style came out.
Good info... didn’t know any of this.