HX Van plates

[Big Rob]

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.

[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.

[wbute]

Convert the engine to fuel injection and just drive it.

[playwme]

Nice pickup! I reckon the price is about right. Just cause it's the wrong colour for the plates doesn't mean it's worth a full paint job less. If the condition is as you say, then you've done well. I like the colour, and some blackouts would really set it off. My vote for wheels would be a set of nice wide GTS rims in the same black and bronze with chrome dress rims.

Congratulations, enjoy, and most importantly of all, more pics!

[Valencia]

Id give that paint job a good cut back and polish pro job or do it your self and youd will be suprised how much it will change
not to mention smooooth
is it painted in 2pac or acrylic paint

- - - Updated - - -

Yep 17/9 17/8 GTS wheels will look cool
do it

[Big Rob]

Those Wildfires will look great tucked up under the guards a bit, and a Sandman tailgate sticker will give the van a bit of identity. I would also leave the guards and front alone and paint the blackouts, but it's yours and you can do what you like.
Whatever you do it's a great looking van and you will enjoy having fun with it.

[mannavale]

Nice pickup! I reckon the price is about right. Just cause it's the wrong colour for the plates doesn't mean it's worth a full paint job less. If the condition is as you say, then you've done well. I like the colour, and some blackouts would really set it off. My vote for wheels would be a set of nice wide GTS rims in the same black and bronze with chrome dress rims.

Congratulations, enjoy, and most importantly of all, more pics!

Will try and get few more once the sun comes out again!

Id give that paint job a good cut back and polish pro job or do it your self and youd will be suprised how much it will change
not to mention smooooth
is it painted in 2pac or acrylic paint

- - - Updated - - -

Yep 17/9 17/8 GTS wheels will look cool
do it

I reckon its 2 pak. The paint is very good - it actually looks like it has already been polished, very shiny. Will get some better pics of it on here shortly.
I assume I should start posting these in the "HX" thread? Have ordered a few bits from rare spares to change the look of the lights and grill a bit so will have some before and afters. Cheers