Van Authenticty. Warning - Highly Opinionated

[Gas On]

No worries, boss.

[agr071]

When i bought my HJ Sandman, i didn't even realise it was one.
I was just told the the tags were taken off it because the previous owner had died (whom i knew), and his fiance wanted the tags as a momento.
I was just going to customise it and get some normal tags for it.
BUT i found out what the tags were and chased them down, and hence i have them now.
This van will be returned to it's former glory, with a slight touch of customising in the rear.
Also for now it'll have a HZ Caprice dash until i get the $$ to get the GTS dash for storage, along with the single headlight front i already have and restored GTS rims in the shed.

[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