Is a Sandman still a Samdman?????

[Robbo]

My two bob's worth.

I do not look much these day's,but when I happen to attend a show or whatever, I look for originality. It is just me, but having purchased one new I can't help but look at the vehicles the same way. I know what they came with and where it should be.
Cheers.

[hainzy]

Great conversation, I reckon everyone has come up with great and respectful personal angles. I agree with OZ and others that the plates and chassis should match to keep the cars original identity.

I dont think the original engine is important. Sure its the heart that pumps the blood and powers the body but its gunna get worn out and old and i reckon if you can put a new one in; why not? Of course others value the original engine and thats fine too. Different things are important to different people.

I also reckon as these vans get rarer we cant be too precious and turn them into museum pieces. Gotta get them out there in view of the general public and if that means replicas then why not. (long as theyre not passed off as originals) It all raises the profile. Look at Toranas. You hardly even see them anymore and no one cares if they are original SLRs etc. Just seeing one is cool.

In some ways I reckon the visual image of the crazy decals, GTS mags, blackouts and warm seventies colours are the soul of what a sandman is. Its all about the seventies. A more relaxed time, when people spent their spare money on holiday houses and speedboats. Not portfolios and investment properties. Life was lived in the moment and thats what the sandman was all about. Minimal planning, just jump in the van and go.

Everyones got a story about how many mates they had in the back etc.

If that makes sense....? So yeah, plates and chassis for value/originality/collectors but just getting out there in the van and keepin the dream alive by drivin it somewhere is where the soul is...

[Gaddy]

Great conversation, I reckon everyone has come up with great and respectful personal angles. I agree with OZ and others that the plates and chassis should match to keep the cars original identity.

I dont think the original engine is important. Sure its the heart that pumps the blood and powers the body but its gunna get worn out and old and i reckon if you can put a new one in; why not? Of course others value the original engine and thats fine too. Different things are important to different people.

I also reckon as these vans get rarer we cant be too precious and turn them into museum pieces. Gotta get them out there in view of the general public and if that means replicas then why not. (long as theyre not passed off as originals) It all raises the profile. Look at Toranas. You hardly even see them anymore and no one cares if they are original SLRs etc. Just seeing one is cool.

In some ways I reckon the visual image of the crazy decals, GTS mags, blackouts and warm seventies colours are the soul of what a sandman is. Its all about the seventies. A more relaxed time, when people spent their spare money on holiday houses and speedboats. Not portfolios and investment properties. Life was lived in the moment and thats what the sandman was all about. Minimal planning, just jump in the van and go.

Everyones got a story about how many mates they had in the back etc.

If that makes sense....? So yeah, plates and chassis for value/originality/collectors but just getting out there in the van and keepin the dream alive by drivin it somewhere is where the soul is...

Hainzy that is the shit M8!! Well said indeed!!
Ahh The seventies!!
Can we do it again?? Only on Sundays it seems..

[Rico]

Great conversation, I reckon everyone has come up with great and respectful personal angles. I agree with OZ and others that the plates and chassis should match to keep the cars original identity.

I dont think the original engine is important. Sure its the heart that pumps the blood and powers the body but its gunna get worn out and old and i reckon if you can put a new one in; why not? Of course others value the original engine and thats fine too. Different things are important to different people.

I also reckon as these vans get rarer we cant be too precious and turn them into museum pieces. Gotta get them out there in view of the general public and if that means replicas then why not. (long as theyre not passed off as originals) It all raises the profile. Look at Toranas. You hardly even see them anymore and no one cares if they are original SLRs etc. Just seeing one is cool.

In some ways I reckon the visual image of the crazy decals, GTS mags, blackouts and warm seventies colours are the soul of what a sandman is. Its all about the seventies. A more relaxed time, when people spent their spare money on holiday houses and speedboats. Not portfolios and investment properties. Life was lived in the moment and thats what the sandman was all about. Minimal planning, just jump in the van and go.

Everyones got a story about how many mates they had in the back etc.

If that makes sense....? So yeah, plates and chassis for value/originality/collectors but just getting out there in the van and keepin the dream alive by drivin it somewhere is where the soul is...

Hainzy- I couldnt have put it any better mate. well said! The 70's and 80's were indeed the Glory Days, when there was , i guess an innocence to Australia still, carefree summer days on the beach or surfing, standing round a bbq, drinkin a cold one, then along came the "recession that we had to have" and the uncertianty of the 90's, it would be good to see those days treturn, sadly they will not-things have gone too far. Then again, everyone is a genius in hindsight, if only thi9ngs had been different...who knows? the best thing we can do is restore these magical peices of history, preserve them for the future generations so that they may have an idea of the freedoms and i guess, "feel" of what indeed was, a simpiler time.