HX8W M80 with 18V trim is it a Sandman

[xxx-sandman-xxx]

Hi all,
I'm a new member and this is my first post,
I have recently purchased a white HX utility (Sandman) and would like some confirmation on it being an original Sandman ute.

Compliance Tags below

Body I.D Plate
Model:HX8W M80
Body No.224667-A
Trim:1888-18V
Paint:568-15951
Eng:L20 Trans:M20 Axle:GV7

ADR:
HOLDEN HX UTILITY 02/77
Seating Cap:2
GVW:1800

VIN:
8M80LGL372905X

This has a V8 253 motor in it but the seller said it came out with a six cylinder, is this right. And is it ridgy didge or not?, as I was told that only Kingswood and Sandman have 18V trim in the HX models. My mates say it is a Sandman because of the M and the 18V is this correct.

Thanks
Rod

[Vombil]

looks like a winner! Lower GVM for a 6cyl makes sense too from my limited experience. Welcome dude. post a few pics when you get a chance

[xxx-sandman-xxx]

Yippy,,Winner,, Thanks for the conformation should I leave the V8 in it or replace it with a six cylinder as it originally came out with. What are these utes going for at the moment? You dont see them around much, its in great condition?

[HK1837]

Won't make any major difference to value having a V8, so you may as well keep it. You could get 18V trim on a HX Holden ute but as yours has an ADR plate it won't be one of those and hence it is a a Sandman.

[Dick61]

Being a shell and only sitting on a non original chassis makes it worth not even the $800.00 starting price on e-bay as it didn't even get a bid. Magical mystery 253ci engine not evident in photos.

If you have bought this car off e-bay then congratulations, remember though that it is documented as not having the original chassis under it and it is a bare shell. Having said that, if you paid the $800.00 starting price on e-bay, then you have a good start at restoring a genuine Sandman. Starting from a bare shell you are looking at a lot of work to do it properly and a large investment in time and money.
I have recently bought an HX Sandman ute which has similar specs to yours, mine has the original chassis and I paid $2500.00 for it. From the photos your shell doesn't have as much rust as mine does, both the body and chassis on mine have rust and it will be a full rotisserie resto with a LOT of work.
There are a lot of people on this forum with a huge amount of knowledge and expertise on Sandmans and Holdens in general, HK1837 has a lot of build information an these cars and is very helpful.
Congratulations on your purchase and good luck with your resto.

[xxx-sandman-xxx]

Dick61,
Yes I did buy it off ebay, and yes it does not have the original chassis under it, (bare shell) which is repairable just will take alot of time and money. I am not claiming it to be a matching numbers ute, as it clearly is not without the original chassis. What is wrong with putting another chassis under it? I would rather see it back on the road and restored than letting it rust away as it was doing. I bought it for the fact that I can say I own a genuine sandman ute, you can not argue the compliance tags. I love these utes and they are getting rarer each day and hard to find, I can not afford to buy a matching numbers ute in prestine condition so I will build one.

HK1837,
Thanks for your advice I will be restoring it with the 253 in it.

Thanks
Rod

[HK1837]

Rod, i'd use a 308, M21 or M41 and V8 Salisbury. Since the car isn't a really original thing you might as well.

[Dick61]

Dick61,
Yes I did buy it off ebay, and yes it does not have the original chassis under it, (bare shell) which is repairable just will take alot of time and money. I am not claiming it to be a matching numbers ute, as it clearly is not without the original chassis. What is wrong with putting another chassis under it? I would rather see it back on the road and restored than letting it rust away as it was doing. I bought it for the fact that I can say I own a genuine sandman ute, you can not argue the compliance tags. I love these utes and they are getting rarer each day and hard to find, I can not afford to buy a matching numbers ute in prestine condition so I will build one.

HK1837,
Thanks for your advice I will be restoring it with the 253 in it.

Thanks
Rod

Rod,
like I said, Congratulations!!!!!!
I was actually watching the e-bay auction on your ute and contemplating bidding and wondering if my daughter would let me get away with bringing ANOTHER car home. Like you, I can't afford to buy a Sandman in pristine condition but can spend the time to bring one back from the brink.

Cheers

[xxx-sandman-xxx]

Thanks guys, much appreciative.