Brian,
I somehow missed this post. Very nice machine!
I don't know that they ever painted the pedestal yellow....
But in '82 it would be an early CCC machine, so maybe? Still has the cast rear. Technically, you have a 784.
On the deck, you say it's a 44C, but then say it's a 50C. Should be a tag on the deck. If it's a 44, then it's a 44" cut, 50C is 50" cut. It's one or the other, not both. Yes, the 44" deck is a little larger than 44" but still only cuts a 44" swath. (I think you get the idea.) Nice find!!!
