HQ Sandman 350 ute

[HK1837]

Go for it. If it was me I wouldn't make a Sandman replica out of it, but leave it looking EXACTLY how it does now but in your colour choice. Yeah make it handle and brake better, fit better seats and full instruments etc. But leave it looking like a stock Belmont on the outside, with the 350 and 4L60. I'd even leave the standard rims with those Kingswood hubcaps.

[ABSINTH74HQ]

Go for it. If it was me I wouldn't make a Sandman replica out of it, but leave it looking EXACTLY how it does now but in your colour choice. Yeah make it handle and brake better, fit better seats and full instruments etc. But leave it looking like a stock Belmont on the outside, with the 350 and 4L60. I'd even leave the standard rims with those Kingswood hubcaps.

Hi Byron, I know what you're saying, it is one of my options, and was my original thought (actually a quick tidy up and rego), till I sold the motor and box out of it!

There's just something about the HQ Sandman that has has always done it for me!
I guess that's why I bought one when I was 17.
There's also the fun of watching the experts analysing it, and telling their mates that they had one exactly the same, when they were young

If I do it as a Sandman, I'll be making it look stock, so yes, I'll choose from the interior colours available for the HQ.

Cheers, Scotty

[ABSINTH74HQ]

So I got the motor and box home from up north, last night, and have just arrived back from the South coast tonight, with the ute!

I'm pretty damn happy.

Last night, I found out the motor is stuffed with high quality bits, and some high quality head work, and was dynoed at around 400 HP at the wheels, the gearbox, and stall converter are all top notch, the only thing I'm not wrapt about, is that the gearbox has a stage 3 shift kit, not stage 2 as advertised, which means it is full manual, which I reckon I'll have to change. I know .... "No sense of adventure" and all that stuff.

So this arvo I looked over this car once it was on the trailer. Stuff me!!! The thing is literally rust free (he's already cut out what little rust was there....just not put any metal back)
The thing is perfect underneath, the quarters, beaver, plenum, floors, doors, pillars, etc are spotless, the only bits of rust are in the sills/dogleg area, and very minor stuff under the gutter in the door openings!
I haven't seen a Q this good in ages!!!!

So the plan so far .........Build a Sandman replica ute, to look as though it came with the 350 from the factory, for under 10 G's By the New Year... (Just so I can't wimp out of a date)2015

I'm pretty confident ...... Of course that doesn't include my labour, and I'll be doing the body and paint, motor rebuild etc.

I'm sure your wondering how much I've got in her so far (I know I would be! )

Well it's even Stevens so far the motor and box were $1,500, and the Car...............(you guessed it)$1,500 dollars

I'll add the fuel in for all the chasing I do too, so that's another $238.39ish so far that's roughly 3 tanks.

So all told $3,238.39 for a HQ ute with a 350, T700 and Banjo diff (I reckon I'll have to sort that next! )

I'll post some pics after work tomorow.

Cheers, Scotty.