Counterfeit Sandmans

**Gaddy** · 08-12-2011, 02:05 PM

A bit late in on this, but what if i write my van off, then find another body that has no tags and use it to replace my damaged one! What would the RTA require if i went down the "honest" road and didnt just use my original tags on the replacement body??

**TwoTees** · 08-12-2011, 08:38 PM

Originally Posted by Gaddy

A bit late in on this, but what if i write my van off, then find another body that has no tags and use it to replace my damaged one! What would the RTA require if i went down the "honest" road and didnt just use my original tags on the replacement body??

Gaddy,
I do not deem myself an expert but I have read a lot about this lately and although I have never actually come across this exact scenario, here is a few possibilities.
1. If you already have the vehicle registered showing the chassis number and the shell was written off (lets assume with out the intervention of an insurance company) you "possibly" may be able to use it but not attach any tags if you could provide proof of ownership. (there are heaps of monaros out there with no tags) The ADR's would default to the chassis, (This would be determined by the engineer) and a surrogate vin may be issued.
2. If you just decide to build a car from parts and the shell has no identification it would not be suitable for rego.
3. If you build it from parts it could be deemed an ICV. (Individually constructed vehicle) and receive a surrogate vin if you can provide evidence of ownership.

Any of these scenarios would be subject to an individual RTA officers judgement.

A lot of what I read talks about proof of ownership of parts used to repair. The big problem is how can you provide proof of ownership when the serial number has been removed. Whatever the case the original identity of the vehicle would be gone.

Basically, once a body shell is not suitable for repair the vehicle identity is finished. Sad, but true.

I personally don't have a problem with re-shelling a vehicle that is registered and loved and in need of repair due to accident damage.
I just hate seeing people buy a rusted, neglected piece of crap, re-birthing it and passing it off as genuine.

**HK1837** · 08-12-2011, 02:26 PM

What they want you to do is leave the tags on the donor body.

**Gaddy** · 08-12-2011, 03:21 PM

Originally Posted by HK1837

What they want you to do is leave the tags on the donor body.

But the donor didnt have tags when i got it!!

**playwme** · 08-12-2011, 03:32 PM

Originally Posted by Gaddy

But the donor didnt have tags when i got it!!

I reckon they'd then treat it as a vehicle without tags. Either that or they'd make you prove that the donor shell didn't come off a stolen car. I'm sure it would be a bit of a $h!tfight either way.

**hx-sandman** · 08-12-2011, 02:34 PM

Originally Posted by Blocker

Without naming names has anyone come across any fake/counterfeit Sandman in the past 12/24 months for sale online?

Do you think there has been an increase in purposely faking a Sandman or do you think people are still not educated enough to know the difference.

I've seen some selectively advertised "Sandman's". Using paint and trim as proof, neglecting to mention the seating capacity of 3 or that they are HX/HZ Kingswoods.

It's certainly able to be done with a little bit of information and a little bit of work. It's not difficult to get tags made/re-made and as a Sandman wasn't a performance model, just an expensive non kingswood, kingswood with (or without) stickers, the list of bits is fairly short.

**mauser** · 08-12-2011, 03:08 PM

Originally Posted by hx-sandman

Sandman wasn't a performance model, just an expensive non kingswood, kingswood with (or without) stickers, the list of bits is fairly short.

Nither was an SLR5000, SS hatch, GTR Torana, SS HQ, or the pretenders HJ-Z Monaro.... Sandmans fit in here!

In my opinion of course.

Mauser

My first two cars were bog stock ex-family cars.

LCGTR1.jpg bluelh.jpg

... it's just that they had race-bred cousins.

**hx-sandman** · 08-12-2011, 03:27 PM

Originally Posted by mauser

Nither was an SLR5000, SS hatch, GTR Torana, SS HQ, or the pretenders HJ-Z Monaro....

In my opinion of course.

Mauser

My first two cars were bog stock ex-family cars.

... it's just that they had race-bred cousins.

Agree about performance, as for race bred cousins, it's all relative to the era.

**HK1837** · 08-12-2011, 04:08 PM

Originally Posted by mauser

Nither was an SLR5000, SS hatch, GTR Torana, SS HQ, or the pretenders HJ-Z Monaro.... Sandmans fit in here!

In my opinion of course.

Mauser

... it's just that they had race-bred cousins.

SLR or SS with optional 5.0L was more of a performance car than a HK-HG GTS Monaro or HT-HG with optional 253!

By pretenders HJ-HZ Monaro I assume you mean 4 doors? If so you should say 4 door HQ-HZ Monaros (or really 4 door HQ-HX Monaro). HJ GTS coupe is as mch a Monaro as a HQ coupe is! And HJ-HZ GTS sedan is at least plated as a Monaro! HQ's are optioned Kingswoods.

**mauser** · 08-12-2011, 04:21 PM

haha ok... I was trying to put them in era.. ie '71 - 80. I stand corrected with the 4-door. Personally I think an optioned L31 in a Torana is the same as your king of Sandmans L31/M41. No mechanical performance parts on any of them.

Do you see the Sandman standing in with the standard SLR/SS/GTS4 etc cars of the era?

Mauser

ps I do think the 350 in the 2&4 door HQ as special. Forgot the HZ was only a GTS... and ooopppss off topic.