Confusing HQ Van

[Rockape]

Hi all.
Have just bought a HQ Van that I did not really want but the price was right and it is all factory, never been pulled apart, and is complete. It has quite a bit of rust but by no means the worst I have seen. I bought it based on the build plates which read as follows -

Model - 80270QR
Body - 793876-S
Trim - 1854-30B
Paint- 563-15345
Eng- L31
Trans- M21
Axle- GV2

Build Date- 11/73 ( CONFUSING )
DHQ XXXXXX
4850 LBS
Seating Cap 2

Vin- 8M70T *D* H7XXXXXQ

Ok, the van is completely stock by the looks of it and is a 5 litre, 4 speed, 3.36 LSD, factory air, GTS instrumentation, factory HQ buckets and centre console. Am told the factory colour is Dulon Mustard, this colour can be seen all over the van under the new paint.

Now, the conundrum. Build date of 11/73 BUT D in the Vin signifies a build date of 1974. Any ideas?

The seller tells me an interesting story. He tells me the guy he bought it off was a painter at GMH and he believes the van was a proto type/demo for the coming HQ Sandman range in '74.

I'm curious to know what you guys think. The D in the vin has me excited, but the build plate clearly identifies 11/73.

Everything else is right except for - It has a twin headlight front and the wiring looks factory. It does not have fluted guards, but this can be easily explained.

Thanks in advance guys.

Edit- Engine No- QT673544

[V8VAN]

The model year changed in sept so pretty sure that's normal. My van is the same I think.

[HK1837]

As above the GMH model year changed on 1st September. It isn't a Sandman unfortunately, just a HQ Belmont van with plenty of boxes ticked on the order form. If you give me the VIN i'll see if it was an internal car, I not the nose will be dealer fitted or fitted after it was new.

[adam perth]

engine number probably around sept 1975...or thereabouts

[Innuendo]

Isn't that the HQ Van spoken about only a few days back? Rough to look at but claimed matching numbers etc.

This one! http://www.gumtree.com.au/s-ad/thorn...tor/1059933578

[Rockape]

As above the GMH model year changed on 1st September. It isn't a Sandman unfortunately, just a HQ Belmont van with plenty of boxes ticked on the order form. If you give me the VIN i'll see if it was an internal car, I not the nose will be dealer fitted or fitted after it was new.

Thanks HK, and the other guys. Really not that confusing after all.
Shame it's not a 'real' one but I guess it's still a pretty rare and very cool combination, and for the $ I know I can't go wrong.

HK the VIN is - 8M70TDH793876Q

Anything you can tell me will be greatly appreciated. Cheers.

[wbute]

It's a real V8 HQ van. That's as cool as anything else.

[Vombil]

Isn't that the HQ Van spoken about only a few days back? Rough to look at but claimed matching numbers etc.

This one! http://www.gumtree.com.au/s-ad/thorn...tor/1059933578

thats the one. the guy sent me pics and I ran for the hills. I haven't seen many worse than it but horses for courses.
When i spoke to him he told me it was a matching numbers Sandman. So by the looks of it it's not matching numbers and it's not a Sandman. Seems his story has morphed into 'prototype'. Please don't read into this as a negative post but I hate being lied to, especially when he knew I was so far away.

It is what it is. As is, where is. Why sell the the story? It makes no difference to the tangible vehicle.

I hope you bring her back from the brink and what a great combo! 308 HQ PV, so sick!

[Innuendo]

They just make it up as they go it would appear!

It's cool that its a L31, M21 HQ Van. But I'm with you Vombil the story is rubbish.

[Flamenco_not_Flamingo]

thats the one. the guy sent me pics and I ran for the hills. I haven't seen many worse than it but horses for courses.
When i spoke to him he told me it was a matching numbers Sandman. So by the looks of it it's not matching numbers and it's not a Sandman. Seems his story has morphed into 'prototype'. Please don't read into this as a negative post but I hate being lied to, especially when he knew I was so far away.

It is what it is. As is, where is. Why sell the the story? It makes no difference to the tangible vehicle.

I hope you bring her back from the brink and what a great combo! 308 HQ PV, so sick!

Mate, sucks to me BS'ed to!

Funny, he didn't tell me any of that.

I asked for numbers, they didn't add up, he told me he didn't want to deceive anybody and changed the ad straight away.

Then in a matter of hours he dropped the price.

Like I said in the thread about it, he seemed like a nice guy and genuine to me, maybe you broke him in vombil LMAO