M41 transmission, plate placement and changing colours

[sandycreek]

Hi,
I am new to this group, this is my first post.
We have recently brought home a panelvan Hj in need of a lot of TLC.
The plates all match and the chassis number.
It is 7/75 build, seating cap. 2
L31, M41, metallic antelope paint, fawn gazelle interior, full hood lining and some GTS options, which I am hoping makes it a likely candidate to be a Sandman.
I have a couple of questions,
1. myhusband has been a mechanic for 35 years but has never seen a panelvan with this (M41) configuration. Are they rare, could this have been a special build or are they common?
2. We plan on keeping the exterior colour as per the plate (metallic antelope) but dont like the interior colour, will it devalue the vehicle if we change the interior colour? I personally would like a black interior.
3. I have looked at lots of HQ to WB vehicles in the past few months, and the id plates have been in various configurations. I thought the ADR tag should be passenger side and the two holden plates should be drivers side. Is this correct or should it be the other way around?

Thanks for your help

[Valencia]

M41 is turbo 400 gearbox

[sandycreek]

thanks, are they common in panelvans? havent seen one in a van before.

[Innuendo]

If you purchased a 308/L31 with Auto in that model you got a M41/Turbo 400 transmission.
It is normal and not rare or uncommon.

[sandycreek]

Ok thank you

[HK1837]

If you put the ID plate details here, of PM them to me i'll try to help.

I have 3 x HJ and 5 x HX Sandman in 1894 (Antelope metallic), one of the HJ's is Fawn (64V) trim. So not a very common combination or colour in HJ.

Whilst being L31 M41 make is a very good possibility of a Sandman it doesn't mean it is. The good thing is if it is originally console shift it is a Holden Sandman van. If it was column shift it is a Holden van.

I don't think the trim matters too much, do it as you please. It isn't that expensive to change it back relative to what a properly restored L31 M41 Sandman van would be worth. Antelope would probably look best with 19V (black) trim a sthat is the stripe colour if they were fitted. 19V and 60A (beige) were the recommended trims for Antelope metallic. 64V was not recommended.

[mr.jones]

The VIN (skinny) and ADR plate are on the drivers side and the Body plate (paint and trim info) is on the passenger side

[Wombat7051]

I think this may be the car, might help with the id Byron

http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/Hj-Holden...vip=true&rt=nc

[HK1837]

Cool, pretty rusty old girl!

[sandycreek]

Thank you all for your input.
very helpful.
I will post some photos when we get her sorted