You really don't need to send anything to Fender

Go to Fenders web site, scroll to the bottom and click something "Contact us" and call Fender's Customer Service number. Once you read them the serial number of the guitar, they'll be able to tell you exactly what configuration you guitar left the factory in, the color, the type of finish, the date of manufacture, etc. The process takes less than two minutes and if the info is in the computer, it's accurate. I've had good luck in getting info on Strats going back as far as the late 80's and you might also. If you run into a dead end, there are lots of other resources.

Those early EC models had a "Hard-V" neck that people either loved of hated and therefore a lot of necks got swapped before they went to the "Soft-V" and same thing for the gold hardware. Stuff like that is a snap to change and has little effect on the value of the guitar. Of course YMMV but either way, that guitar looks legit to me and the gold plating is in surprisingly good condition.

Good luck.

The chrome neck plates also have the Fender logo inscribed on them.

_________________
"Another day in paradise!"

I own a '01 Candy Green EC Strat. Everything but the gold parts looks ligit. I'm thinking that someone might have swapped out the chrone for gold. It looks pretty cool like that.

I wouldn't worry about it too much. I really love the Candy Green color. I ordered mine and had wait a month because they didn't have candy green availible.

_________________
1975 Sunburst Stratocaster rosewood finger board
1979 Stratocaster with roseowood finder board
2001 Candy Green Clapton Stratocaster
2007 Andy Summers Inspired Telecaster
2007 '51 P-Bass
2012 Taylor 110
2015 Mystic Ice Blue Deluxe Stratocaster Plus

Here's another example of the coining of the term 'closet classic'. My Pewter, which I purchased on eBay from a guy in Texas, has hardly a ding in its finish, no oxidation on the metal, and still has the poly on the trem cover, which I intend to leave there. Fender should have used gold hardware on this guitar in the production runs. It works wonderfully. But that would have to have been Clapton's decision, tiring of black, as he chose the colors for the new line. He's quoted as always having wanted a guitar the color of a 7-Up bottle. Enjoy and thanks for sharing.
Doc

_________________
"Another day in paradise!"