Yeah, but they were almost the ONLY optional item for the package. On HQ-HX they were the only optional item (ie have them or not), everything else was mandatory with the packages (XU3 or XX7). Of course you could option different engines, gearboxes, paint, tyres etc. On HX they were the only FACTORY fitted item you could option Yes or No to (still chasing engine size badge info for HX). On HZ as well as the stripes you could also choose to option Yes or No to the engine size badge on the tailgate. So at the end of the day they are the least defining thing of a Sandman. Visually not so, but important to originality, defintely not. You can restore a Sandman and win concours at a show without stripes, but nothing else could be missing apart from the engine size badge on HZ. Just food for thought anyway.