Did Holden sell so many genuine sandmans ???

[SANM4N]

yeah i know it wasn't a sandman but it would have been very hard to say it wasn't, if it was built somewhere else it would be so convincing for most that i think it would have got past is all im saying, i have read and reread all the material on sandmans whilst i dont remember it all, with every van i buy i go through the model specific info available, i think that it is a valid point that there are probably some widely accepted "sandmans" out there possibly even on this site that may 30-40 years ago been built as a highly optioned van but not necessarily a sandman, having said that i wasnt there im just thinking aloud i dont have to be right

[HK1837]

I know what you are saying, the key point is to be a Sandman there has to be proof, not the other way around (ie prove it isn't).
Whilst many think being a 308 and 4spd leads to the question "is it a Sandman", if it turns out not to be they think it is a "highly optioned" ute or van. Trouble is for example, for all of HQ-HZ a 308 was an option regardless of whether a ute or van was a Sandman or not. Along with the 308 came an M21. So a ute or van being a 308 and 4spd really does not tip the scales either way towards being a Sandman or not. Incidentals like U17 instruments and bucket seats were cheap options in comparison to mechanical options like V8 engines, power steer, air and especially TH400 hence lots of commercials got them if they were ordered rather than bought from stock or schedule. In fact the best pointers to a ute or van being a Sandman is the colour, relatively not too many non-Sandmans were produced in some colours especially metallics unless they were Kingswoods which rules them out most of the time from being a Sandman anyway!
The one that may always bite people in the @rse the most is a reduced GVW option (ie XU4) along with buckets and 4spd on a late HJ, HX or 1977 plated HZ, epecially on utes. These are rare but a few have come up.

[SANM4N]

mmm hopefully i get a sandman one day there seem to be a couple potential sadmans up for sale at the minute but im out of the market for a keeper until my vans done

[HK1837]

There are heaps out there still. My advice would be to bite the bullet and buy a complete, driving unit and enjoy it rather than waste at least 3-5 years of your life and twice more $ than you think it will cost restoring one.

[SANM4N]

yeah i like restoring them though theres more satisfaction i expect $30-40,000 to get my van how i want it, i think i will probably buy the next car if not another van then maybe a finished torana i sold mine to do the van which i think is more important, just have to see what happens

[HZSM50]

True words HK1837, read this thread. I always think is my van a genuine sandman or not. Either way I love it.

[SANM4N]

might not ever finish the van if i dont get off this forum ive never really joined a forum before i think im getting addicted to it, im always checking it to see whats happening and looking at other peoples builds haha and adding info on mine its a good way to document your own build you can print off a copy of your thread when your done

[HZSM50]

SANM4N I have spent 47k so far. And not finished. But would and will do it again.

[SANM4N]

geeze i spent $45,000 on my tonner but i paid for a few things i shouldn't have, i think ill get in on budget, a lot of money was spent doing things twice due to change of mind poor quality parts and compatibility issues, (and the father in laws a panelbeater /sprayer) so im pretty right there

[SANM4N]

im pretty lucky i buy 30-40, 60 and 70's holdens a yr so all the genuine parts i want are free my mate that i buy the cars with is a sandblaster so body and chassis are done free i have scored full rubber kits bolt kits front end suspension etc from a donor car that owes me nothing (brand new in packets) panelbeating and spraying costs very little (we trade work im a chippy and built his shed etc) running gear will come fron a vn vp vq that i will wreck out and make some money back on interior will be dear as i will want all new