Hx panelvan project car

**HK1837** · 21-04-2014, 05:43 PM

Nice one. Might be too late but one word of advice, spending that sort of $ on repairs you probably should have bought a rusty Sandman shell and did it using all useable bits off your HX.

**higherground** · 24-04-2014, 07:48 PM

Not a bad point , unfortunately finding a sandman let alone a holden panel van locally wasn't easy down here !! The old girl cost me the grand sum of $1500 with a few months rego on her !! I've taken the lpg off the car and will be relocating the spare wheel back where it belongs . Mechanically the vehicle is very strong and drives beautifully , the trimatic changes well and the 253 has that lovely burble especially when she kicks down going up a hill . Even though she had seen better days body wise , I still received quite a few thumbs up from other motorists !! I think nostalgia plays a big part with these cars . This is my first van and my first ever project car , it'll be a keeper once finished and I'll feel more comfortable knowing that the body work has been done properly , rather than buying something thats been tarted up . My investment so far including purchase price is nearing the $5000 mark with all the gts bits and pieces and rust panels ,paint and panel under way and then hood lining , seats and door trims , carpet etc to finish off . Hopefully the vehicle will be finished by xmas

Flamenco_not_Flamingo · 24-04-2014, 08:30 PM

Originally Posted by higherground

Not a bad point , unfortunately finding a sandman let alone a holden panel van locally wasn't easy down here !! The old girl cost me the grand sum of $1500 with a few months rego on her !! I've taken the lpg off the car and will be relocating the spare wheel back where it belongs . Mechanically the vehicle is very strong and drives beautifully , the trimatic changes well and the 253 has that lovely burble especially when she kicks down going up a hill . Even though she had seen better days body wise , I still received quite a few thumbs up from other motorists !! I think nostalgia plays a big part with these cars . This is my first van and my first ever project car , it'll be a keeper once finished and I'll feel more comfortable knowing that the body work has been done properly , rather than buying something thats been tarted up . My investment so far including purchase price is nearing the $5000 mark with all the gts bits and pieces and rust panels ,paint and panel under way and then hood lining , seats and door trims , carpet etc to finish off . Hopefully the vehicle will be finished by xmas

Well mate, your money your choice.

Sounds like you have it under control and if its a keeper, do what you want, even if its not a keeper do what you want.

**HK1837** · 25-04-2014, 09:33 AM

Originally Posted by higherground

Not a bad point , unfortunately finding a sandman let alone a holden panel van locally wasn't easy down here !! The old girl cost me the grand sum of $1500 with a few months rego on her !! I've taken the lpg off the car and will be relocating the spare wheel back where it belongs . Mechanically the vehicle is very strong and drives beautifully , the trimatic changes well and the 253 has that lovely burble especially when she kicks down going up a hill . Even though she had seen better days body wise , I still received quite a few thumbs up from other motorists !! I think nostalgia plays a big part with these cars . This is my first van and my first ever project car , it'll be a keeper once finished and I'll feel more comfortable knowing that the body work has been done properly , rather than buying something thats been tarted up . My investment so far including purchase price is nearing the $5000 mark with all the gts bits and pieces and rust panels ,paint and panel under way and then hood lining , seats and door trims , carpet etc to finish off . Hopefully the vehicle will be finished by xmas

No worries. Just trying to give you some advice from years of stuffing around with these old girls. As soon as I see rust like is in that pillar and cowl I start looking at the car as parts only. Sure it can be fixed, but when you see what you can buy in a replica for $20k (like the yellow HQ that has been on Ebay a few times) you really gotta start scratching the head! Just suggesting that maybe spending the same resto $ on a Sandman shell might be worth the effort in the end.
But it is your money and time, so enjoy.

Sorry for the 2nd bit of advice - NEVER say "i'll never sell it"! One of the biggest mistakes one can ever make!