My 2 bobs worth, As this is forum is mysandman.com.au I understand & enjoy the quotes and help available from total sandman advocates & holden van lovers.
I was an original owner of a sandman in 77 (HX) and only that it was NEW 308 v8 4 speed limit diff and reasonable fast that people bothered to notice. There were some very fast, good looking van of all makes & models at the time.
The price being asked for some of these vans are over the top but understand if someone want an original sandman with full documentation of it owner history they’re willing to pay.
Driving a friends hq 308 what led me to a wanting a van. I ordered a van with all that could be added at the time, the price came in at $8200 and had to wait 2 months. This would have been plated a kingswood. While waiting I was offered a sandman that the dealer had at the showroom for $7200 it was a hell of a saving and took the Sandman, So to me, owning a van that I can afford, enjoy and make as comfortable as I can with what ever parts I can get is the most important thing.