HX Van plates

[mannavale]

Thanks everyone for their input and honesty. Each poster here gave me something to think about which is great.

I have bought the van and cruised grinning ear to ear all the way to Pingrup (380km) without a worry in the world! The previous owner was not so happy he was nearly in tears as I drove off - I did feel for the guy. I was amazed at how well the van drove and handled - it will be an awesome cruiser!

I'll get some decent pics of it once this weather takes up and also get it up on the hoist for a proper look underneath.

I'm aware I probably did pay a slight premium for the van but I think it will be a solid investment as time goes on so I'm happy. I plan to drive it and enjoy for a few years before she goes "back in black"! Out of interest what were the decal colours that went with tuxedo black?

[Absinth]

I have bought the van and cruised grinning ear to ear all the way to Pingrup (380km) without a worry in the world! The previous owner was not so happy he was nearly in tears as I drove off - I did feel for the guy. I'm aware I probably did pay a slight premium for the van.

I wouldn't feel for him too much, as you say he got a premium price for his van considering the running gear and paint are not correct for the van.

Congrats on your purchase though, you are happy with it and you are the only one that matters. It is a stunning looking van and I love the colour.... the Wildfire mags look great and really suit it. I have a set of Wildfires off my old HX Sandman sitting in my container in Brissy, they were a popular mag back in the day as I also had them on my old HQ Tonner back in the 80's.

Maybe paint the HX blackouts on it to identify it as a Sandman? I wouldn't put the stripes on as I like the clean look of it.

[mannavale]

Congrats, keep on enjoying, get out and driving the old beasts is the best. I reckon dy3 or dy4 (predominantly red or orange) stripes would look hot. I'm no expert on hx, so not sure if these could be ordered on black.

Read my mind mate, I was thinking the red orange stripes would pop nicely off the black, would also match a shiny red 308 when you popped the bonnet too!

Congrats.
What you paid will only be an issue if you wanted to sell it again soon.... Time will eventually make it seem like a bargain, so put the price out of your mind and have fun with it and get some value out of the current paintjob. At least if you are eventually going to paint it black (awesome), you can enjoy taking it on a few rough roads and not stress about stone chips like I do!
It looks good the way it is now anyway so there's no rush.

Totally agree Big Rob, not planning on selling it ! Ever!

I wouldn't feel for him too much, as you say he got a premium price for his van considering the running gear and paint are not correct for the van.

Congrats on your purchase though, you are happy with it and you are the only one that matters. It is a stunning looking van and I love the colour.... the Wildfire mags look great and really suit it. I have a set of Wildfires off my old HX Sandman sitting in my container in Brissy, they were a popular mag back in the day as I also had them on my old HQ Tonner back in the 80's.

Maybe paint the HX blackouts on it to identify it as a Sandman? I wouldn't put the stripes on as I like the clean look of it.

Thanks Absinth. The Wildfires are growing on me! They are in excellent condition. They are on the van in a photo from 02 also. I do like the look of GTS style wheels as well or the copies like the 17 x 8 bandit.
Yes the mind is ticking as to what to do with the exterior for the next few years. Blackouts a good start for sure, maybe a tailgate decal? Decisions decisions!

My thought process in buying the van was this. In a few years (maybe 5!) I will paint the van to match the tags and put on a full decal kit. Can't really say what else at this stage but the interior and mechanicals while not being original are in very good order and COULD be left as they are. Due to this it would always be a slightly modified van so would leave the guards and twin headlight as is for no other reason than I like that look. So in about 2020 I will have a freshly painted van that owes me about $50K (depending on how crazy I go haha).

Any other suggestions as to a path forward with this old girl keeping in mind the following
paint is 13 years old and nearly flawless - 2 very small chips - no dents - no bubbles anywhere
non original driveline, gts flutes in gaurds (weld ins) and twin headlight front.