Van Authenticty. Warning - Highly Opinionated

[ZSANDY]

Firstly I have to say awesome web site . Always log on when I've got a minute to check out what new info has surfaced .
Secondly I don't agree with anything Gas on has to say in this post . I love that I have a Sandman . Takes a lot of time and effort to track down and restore such vehicles. I just finished a Hq GTS coupe, sure It might be worth 40k+ but it cost me more than that to restore it . Where would it be if I didn't restore it ? It would be still sitting under someones house rusting away instead of being driven . My daughter love me picking her up from school.

Once again, Great site!

[agr071]

but I also think that he tells to much info when you have an incorrect centre console for example, or gear knob turned sideways. some people might like the extra help in getting their van just right. I think it's picking at someones pride and joy. just my opinion. I hope this comes across the right way I don't really want to upset a moderater

I also think it depends on what type of person you are or type of restoration you are doing.
For example my HJ wont be 100% correct, but if i wanted it to be i would gladly take on the info Absinth provides, it's also useful info in case i decide to do it 100%.
On the other hand it's what i personally prefer, like if i want to put a black hoodling in, well it's up to me to do it.

All in all i find this site VERY useful indeed and you can pretty much get an idea on what most people are like, whether to take their comments as a serious attack or if they are just having a dig for fun.

[Absinth]

All in all i find this site VERY useful indeed and you can pretty much get an idea on what most people are like, whether to take their comments as a serious attack or if they are just having a dig for fun.

Ahh, common sense prevails....

[Rolla]

I partly agree with you, Gas On. Sure it’s completely factual to say that owning a van, more specifically a ‘Sandman’ van, was flagrantly directed towards the ‘sand, sex and surf' generation back in the 1970’s. But times change! With time the collectability factor of a car like the Sandman increases, they become rare and hard to find (especially in original condition), but that angle the Sandman advertised itself at will remain in stone. Sure a large part of owning a van is all about that free way of living. Yes, I agree that the Sandman van is essentially a way of life, given its history. But, we’re all enthusiast in a different way. As absinth says, some of us enjoy the experience of driving it day in and day out and others enjoy the restoration process, along with displaying it at car shows. The fact that genuine Sadnmans are becoming a dying breed, I beleive it's very reasonable to restore a sandman for show use and show use only. We need picture perfect examples of genuine Sandmans of that era and guys that do this should be applauded. You're not going to get that if you use it everyday. I for one respect the Sandman as a way of life and as the Australian Muscle Car icon that it is. I think before you blatantly state your opinion you should respect the distinction between the two. You’re argument sounds like an attack. But maybe I'm too set in my academia ways *sigh*.

As for your statement saying there are literally 1000’s of Sandman vans being restored in Australia. Sure, maybe vans as a whole, but I highly doubt their genuine Sandman’s. Show us evidence of this and maybe we’ll reconsider you’re statement to be true. Otherwise I say along with Absinth, ‘What a load of bullshit...’.

PS. Share the motherload dude, we all need to fill our Sandman’s with that sweet pussy aroma... Haha, as always love the quote...

Cheers

[Gas On]

Gday,

Look out for Gas On's "Warning - Highly Opinionated Part II" - Coming soon!

There is a high chance my post may be edited, if that's the case... well... it would've been a good read

Cheers

[Sinbin]

i have a Hz panelvan thats mocked up to look exactly like a real sandman , yes i would like it to be a real sandman but to me it does not matter , the thing that appeals to me about the panelvan and even the sandman is the freedom it represents , it was a culture to so many people when it come out back in the day , so i don't care that my sandman is not original im just glad i have the same ideals for the car now as people when they first come out did , regardless of sandman or panel van

[YELLOW]

Different strokes for different folks here peoples so my mock-up was built to look good, sound good and for me to look cool while I`m driving around in it...

I drive it in the rain, drive it in the pissing down rain, drive it down dirts roads in the pissing down rain,
I pick my spots on open country roads and drop some crackin` burnouts etc etc... basically it gets driven everywhere in all conditions...

To have a light-hearted dig at all the restorers here I reckon, paint it acrylic with no clear-coat and leave it out in the sun for 15 years to fade and it will look like a REAL gen Sandy :lol:
Mine won`t have time to fade cause I blacked out the engine bay, tray and interior for a simple reason... Going the colour change soon:D