I got my unrestricted BCPL with a Class 2 medical, based on a pass of the CPL exams and a CPL flight test. I think there were still 3 classes of medical back then in the late 80's. I upgraded to a Class 1 in 2006 to upgrade my BCPL to a CPL, at the CAA's encouragement (I had all the hours plus plus by then). I think they were trying to get old style unrestricted BCPL holders off their books. I had the Class 1 by the time I started the FI course in 2007. So why didn't I get a Class 1 back in the 80's? Myopia. The cutoff then was -3 dioptre. Later it shifted to -5. I was -3.25, just outside in 1980's but comfortably inside by 2007.
That's life!
TOO