Don't despair about HHS not being able to supply the certificate. There would be hundreds of genuine Sandman's that can't get the HHS certificate because of lost/damaged/change of system records, That in no way makes these cars less of a Sandman. All it does is take the convenience of certificate proof out of the equation. All pointers of your van is that it is a XU3 Sandman. When restoring take photographic evidence of any of the remnants of Sandman proof.

It was good of Ben to tell you all he could on the car based on the numbers and explain the reason why he couldn't offer the certificate.

This only goes to reinforce the value of having owners manuals/books, service records and the sales receipt.