Newbie

**Forever Young** · 28-05-2011, 11:16 AM

Sorry if this is posted in the wrong place,but I couldn't find the newbie/intro section.

My name is Garry, I don't currently own a Sandman (or any Van), but I'm chasing information on a van I used to own.

For the oldie's out there the Van was called "ADD VAN TAGE" it was around in the eighties, after I sold it, it was repainted, so no idea on colour scheme. I'm not even sure if it has survived the wreckers, but regardless it most distictive feature was the aircraft door in the side (Steps came down, door lifted up) bit like the door from a small jet.

Back in the day it was totally covered in Murals, transam style front end and a lot of other mods.

Anyway perhaps a long shot, but I'm keen to find if the Van has survived and it's current condition ownership etc.

Sparking anyone's memory?

Cheers, Garry

Edit: Also, it was in Van Wheels Mag #43 and on a couple of TV Spots "A Country Practice" and "Raffety's Rules"

**TwoTees** · 28-05-2011, 11:38 AM

Hi Garry and Welcome.
I do remember seeing your van somewhere but cant remember where. I hope someone else here will help in finding your old van.
In the mean time have a read of this guys story. He found his old van so there is hope.
http://www.mysandman.com.au/forums/s...Barbados+Green
Cheers, Chris

**wbute** · 28-05-2011, 01:09 PM

Sounds like it was unreal! That door should make it easy to identify if its still alive.

**Forever Young** · 28-05-2011, 01:36 PM

Originally Posted by TwoTees

Hi Garry and Welcome.
I do remember seeing your van somewhere but cant remember where. I hope someone else here will help in finding your old van.
In the mean time have a read of this guys story. He found his old van so there is hope.
http://www.mysandman.com.au/forums/s...Barbados+Green
Cheers, Chris

WOW, that's awesome the whole story of his adventures and finding her again. More power to him, what labour of LOVE he has ahead of him

**agr071** · 28-05-2011, 02:03 PM

That's the one that Devo built wasn't it???
I didn't think it had a trans am front... i thought it had a Torana grill.

--- Updated ---

Opps. By the way Welcome Garry!!!

**Forever Young** · 28-05-2011, 02:59 PM

Originally Posted by agr071

That's the one that Devo built wasn't it???
I didn't think it had a trans am front... i thought it had a Torana grill.

--- Updated ---

Opps. By the way Welcome Garry!!!

Yeah that's right Peter "Devo" Davidson. He was a mate of mine at the time, when he was returning to live Canberra he offered the van to me (very cheapy) which I took him up on. He stayed with my wife and I for a while when he came back to Brizzy for business (in a modified and air brushed holden wagon), after he returned we lost touch with him. I must do a search on Peter as well

I had the van for a while. One weekend I was towing my drag car to Willowbank with the Van and a old guy in front of me braked suddenly (he was in a Valiant) and the trailer brakes failed (hire trailer) and I couldn't pull her up in time. That destroyed the custom front end.
I put a HQ Premier front end on it, just to get he back on the road.

Not long after I blew up 3rd gear, after replacing the gear box. I ended up swapping her for a Collora Wagon that some surfy guy had for sale at the time. He promptly resprayed the entire Van in some baby poo colour, totally wiping out those beautiful Murals. Arguably Peter's greatest work (and at the time he had been voted one of Australia best muralist). At this point I wanted to turn back time and keep it, Damn shame.

Although I probably couldn't affort it, I would love to buy it and restore it to it's original "Devo" condition.

Any leads as to the current owner would be great...

--- Updated ---

[QUOTE=agr071;18906]That's the one that Devo built wasn't it???
I didn't think it had a trans am front... i thought it had a Torana grill.[COLOR="Silver"]

Yeah it wasn't a Transam graft, more a custom build, in a transam style (that's my interpretation anyway).

**Forever Young** · 28-05-2011, 03:02 PM

This is after the accident to the front end, can't find the others ATM. I have a great one of the bonnet mural somewhere.

**Gaddy** · 28-05-2011, 03:21 PM

Welcome Garry! M8 that's a wicked looking van!
The huge bubble window in the tailgate looks great!
Hopefully someone on here knows where it ended up!
Gotta luv the 80s murals too!
Classic!

**Forever Young** · 28-05-2011, 03:40 PM

I've had quite a day researching, haven't any more details on the Van, only that it might have been smashed and painted white or beige.
I found Peter "Devo" the orginal owner and caught up on the phone. He's in Brisbane and still doing his awesome art, I'm catching up with him shortly, what a day!