Counterfeit Sandmans

[HK1837]

Hey everyone,

It would seem this is a pretty hot subject on here at the moment and I felt like having a say on the issue.

As we are all aware the price of aussie muscle cars have skyrocketed in recent years, putting them beyond the reach of most people. This in turn increases lesser models of the same shape/style as well. Replicas of all the popular models have always been an issue, but in my opinion they have there place. Who wouldn't like to drive around in a phase III replica? I wouldn't care if it wasn't original at least it didn't have the $500,000 price tag...
Imagine what you could do to the performance of that replica if you spent just part of the difference in price on it? It would outperform the original, that's for sure!

I also think that replica sandmans have there place as well, it is such an icon I bet there would be alot of people who would love to drive a replica. As it has been said it only becomes an issue when it comes time to sell and it is passed off as being an original.

Mega buck restorations of original sandmans are likely to be a good investment, provided they are done legally.... I'll let you guys argue that one out.

One of the reasons I don't mind not having a sandman is that I feel it just limits you to much, you cannot change colors, interiors, drivelines, anything without affecting its originality. I would just feel way to limited creatively. But that is my opinion and I can completely understand the mentality of keeping things original, its just too valuable and rare a model to start messing with it. (I imagine I would be crucified on this site for messing with an original!) - but saying that some of my favourite old school show vans started off as sandmans and I would hate to see them changed back!!

Another point I wanted to raise relates to your debate on chassis/body/compliance plates. I had a look at my van before and found that my chassis number is on the compliance plate on the drivers side, and also my body shell is stamped with a number as well - next to the compliance plate on the passenger side. Has anyone else noticed this with theirs?

HQ-early HZ Pagewood BAP bodies have a body number on the firewall, which despite what people tell you can link to the ID plates (i'm not going to ever divulge how as it can help me to spot rebodies). Elizabeth HQ BAP bodies have a similar number up on the cowl up to a certain date.

[HQVAN]

HQ-early HZ Pagewood BAP bodies have a body number on the firewall, which despite what people tell you can link to the ID plates (i'm not going to ever divulge how as it can help me to spot rebodies). Elizabeth HQ BAP bodies have a similar number up on the cowl up to a certain date.

Hey HK1837, here are some shots of my compliance plates and the stamp that appears on the cowl, from what I have been told and can work out, the van was built in dandenong, belmont, was a 6 cylinder (not sure which), 3 speed manual colomn shift, white paint with brown interior, does this sound right to you?

My chassis number appears on the one located on the drivers side cowl. Suggesting it is the original chassis and body.
Could you explain the codes for me, and the stamp on the cowl?

Cheers,
Karl.

IMAG0396.jpgIMAG0389.jpgIMAG0391.jpgIMAG0393.jpgIMAG0394.jpg

[V6HQUTE]

Hey HK1837, here are some shots of my compliance plates and the stamp that appears on the cowl, from what I have been told and can work out, the van was built in dandenong, belmont, was a 6 cylinder (not sure which), 3 speed manual colomn shift, white paint with brown interior, does this sound right to you?

My chassis number appears on the one located on the drivers side cowl. Suggesting it is the original chassis and body.
Could you explain the codes for me, and the stamp on the cowl?

Cheers,
Karl.

IMAG0396.jpgIMAG0389.jpgIMAG0391.jpgIMAG0393.jpgIMAG0394.jpg

the ones i have seen have been on the firewall just near the heater/ac, mabey different plants???

[playwme]

Hey HK1837, here are some shots of my compliance plates and the stamp that appears on the cowl, from what I have been told and can work out, the van was built in dandenong, belmont, was a 6 cylinder (not sure which), 3 speed manual colomn shift, white paint with brown interior, does this sound right to you?

My chassis number appears on the one located on the drivers side cowl. Suggesting it is the original chassis and body.
Could you explain the codes for me, and the stamp on the cowl?

Cheers,
Karl.

IMAG0396.jpgIMAG0389.jpgIMAG0391.jpgIMAG0393.jpgIMAG0394.jpg

That's kind of cool in it's own special way. All the blank spots near engine/trans/diff means that no options were specified. That means you have a Glacier White Pov Pack as you can get. Probably a fleet car (NRMA maybe) or something along those lines.

Stamp on the cowl I think is a body number that doesn't actually correspond to anything on the tags. My HQ coupe has one on the firewall down near the heater box.

[HQVAN]

That's kind of cool in it's own special way. All the blank spots near engine/trans/diff means that no options were specified. That means you have a Glacier White Pov Pack as you can get. Probably a fleet car (NRMA maybe) or something along those lines.

Stamp on the cowl I think is a body number that doesn't actually correspond to anything on the tags. My HQ coupe has one on the firewall down near the heater box.

Perhaps I should fill in the blanks with what it has now. Lol!

L34 M21 - what's the code for salsbury 3.08 LSD?

Joking!