Sandman Identification
Identifying an original Holden Sandman panelvan or ute can be incredibly difficult. This is largely due to the fact that Holden generally didn't provide standard identifiable codes on Sandman ID plates, no matter which of their various manufacturing plants produced the vehicle. The ease of “optioning up” a regular ute or panelvan to Sandman standards also makes identification of the original vehicles complicated.
Only two codes were ever provided with a Sandman ute or panelvan. These were option codes XU3 (except for HQ and early HJ Sandmans) and XX7. These two codes were only stamped on the ID plate of the Sandman produced in the Holden Brisbane (Acacia Ridge) plant. Both of these codes refer to the type of tyres supplied on that model vehicle.
- XU3 were the standard commercial tyres, rated for load carrying (14.5cwt).
- XX7 were the same as standard passenger vehicle tyres (10cwt).
So if your panelvan or ute has either of these two stamps, you can rest assured that you have a genuine Sandman in your possession.
However, not every Sandman was built at Acacia Ridge, which means there are plenty of Sandmans out there that don’t have either a XU3 or XX7 body plate stamp. So you will need to gather further evidence from your vehicle in order to test its Sandman legitimacy. Happily, there are some identifying features that run across the range, such as:
- GTS components including guards, dash and bucket seats;
- Seating capacity of “2” on ADR plate;
- Console floor shift (manual or auto); and
- Door courtesy light switches.
However these features alone are net enough to identify the Holden Sandman, as some of these options were standard in the Kingswood range, or could be ordered from the dealer to have them included.
More details can be deduced from the various codes on the ID and Safety Compliance plates, which will assist in correctly identifying a Sandman. In addition to this, each model has its own identifying features which are covered in greater detail below.
Identification Plates
These plates serve various functions, arguably the most important of which is assisting in identifying a legitimate Sandman.
Plate Identification Locations
HQ Identification
Only a small number of HQ Sandmans were ever built, as manufacturing of these started towards the end of the production run of the HQ series in 1974. The HQ Sandman has the following features:
- Bucket seats - seat capacity of “2” on ADR Plate
- GTS components which include dash, steering wheel, rally rims and fluted guards;
- Metallic paint optional;
- Trim code “30B” (B indicates bucket seats). Not “30A” or “30E”.
- Built in 1974
- XX7 stamped on the on ADR plate if vehicle is Brisbane built
Exceptions to the rule. Bucket seats could be ordered as an option, so bucket seats alone are not a good enough identification of Sandman authenticity. Metallic paint could be ordered on Kingswood vehicles, so metallic paint alone is also not enough to identify a legitimate Sandman. However, if your HQ van is not a Kingswood and has GTS guards, dash, bucket seats, metallic paint and a trim code with suffix “B” it's highly likely you have a legitimate Sandman in your possession. HQ Sandman utes were available as Kingswoods though.
Early HQ series Plate Breakdown
Example VIN code - 80170QH500025
80170 – 6cyl Belmont Panelvan
80270 – 8cyl Belmont Panelvan
80180 – 6cyl Belmont Ute
80280 – 8cyl Belmont Ute
80380 - 6cyl Kingswood Ute
80480 - 8cyl Kingswood ute
Q – Last letter of model (HQ)
H5 - Assembly Plant
H1-H4 – Brisbane
H5-H9 – Sydney
J1-J9 – Dandenong
L1-L5 – Adelaide
L6-L9 – Perth
Last numbers – Vehicle serial number.
HJ Identification
The HJ Sandman started production in late 1974 and continued through to 1976. There were two series of the HJ model, the first commencing in late 1974 and ceasing around late August 1975. The early releases were Kingswood or Holden-based Sandmans. From September 1975 they were Holden-based only. The newer releases (built after September 1975) were also the first to to introduce the XU3 variant and display a reduced Gross Vehicle Weight (GVW) which was usually 2200kg or below for XU3, or 1950kg or below for XX7.
The HJ Sandman has the following identifiers.
- Bucket seats - seat capacity of “2” on ADR plate;
- GTS components which include dash, steering wheel, rally rims and fluted guards;
- Metallic paint optional;
- Full length headlining which includes a welded metal headlining strip above the tailgate door;
- Floor shift;
- Tyre placard located in glove box with number 9941015 (NB - this info is incomplete and further research is being undertaken); and
- Door courtesy lights.
An example of an XX7 plate for HJ Sandman.
HJ Tyre Placard
The tyre placard is located on the inside of the glove box door. Hopefully it is still there as they are invaluable in providing information or legitimacy to your Holden Sandman.
| Engine Type | Model | Placard # |
|---|---|---|
| Pre 1976 6cyl XX7 | Panel Van & Ute | 9930172 |
| Pre 1976 8cyl XX7 | Panel Van & Ute | 9930173 |
| 1976 6cyl XU4 or XX7 | Panel Van & Ute 10cwt | 9941013 |
| 1976 8cyl XU4 or XX7 | Panel Van & Ute 10cwt exc. Aircon | 9941014 |
| 1976 8cyl XU4 or XX7 | Panel Van & Ute 10cwt with Aircon | 9941015 |
| 1976 8cyl XU4 or XX7 | Panel Van 10cwt | 9941015 |
| 1976 6cyl XU3 | Panel Van & Ute 14.5cwt | 9930172 |
| 1976 8cyl XU3 | Panel Van & Ute 14.5cwt | 9930173 |
Exceptions: A late September 1975 HJ will be a base model Holden van or ute, therefore the model code will be 8WM70 (van) or 8WM80 (ute). An 8WN70 (van) or 8WN80 (ute) will be a Kingswood model and therefore not a Sandman.
- M70 - Panelvan
- M80 - Ute
- N70 - Kingswood van therefore not a Sandman
- N80 - Kingswood ute therefore possibly a Sandman
GVW ratings for XX7 only.
| Year | Model | GVW |
|---|---|---|
| 1975 | 6cyl Van & Ute and XU3 | 2155kg |
| 1975 | 8cly Van & Ute and XU3 | 2200kg |
| 1976 | V8 Kingswood Ute | 1860kg |
| 1976 | 6cyl Kingswood Ute | 1860kg |
| 1976 | 6cyl Van | 1860kg |
| 1976 | 6cyl Ute | 1860kg |
| 1976. | V8 Van | 1950kg |
| 1976 | V8 Ute | 1860kg |
HX Identification
The HX is a little more difficult to identify than other models, as Holden introduced the Kingswood van to the existing Kingswood ute, which can lead to confusion as a Kingswood van or ute can appear to be a Sandman. For example, full headlining was standard on the Kingswood van as well as for a Sandman.
- Bucket seats - seat capacity of “2” on ADR Plate;
- GTS components which include dash and steering wheel (note that fluted guards were removed in the HX series);
- Metallic paint optional;
- Full length headlining (includes a welded metal headlining strip above the tailgate door);
- Floor shift;
- Unique trim codes; and
- Door courtesy Lights
- XU3 or XX7 stamped on the on ADR plate if vehicle is Brisbane built.
In addition to the details covered above, the HX had a unique trim code “set”, but this was also used for the Kingswood range. The HX Sandman trim codes were 18V, 60A, 65A, 67A. If you have an HX 8WM70 or 8WM80 with 18V or 65A trim it is a Sandman as these trims were not available on base model van and ute.
Because these are unique to the Sandman and Kingswood models, the body identification plate should read 8WM70. If you have any of the above trim codes, but the body ID is 8WN70 or 8WN80 it is a Kingswood vehicle and not a Sandman.
So a true HX Sandman will have the following features:
- GTS components which include GTS dash, console shift, rally rims and bucket seats;
- Full length headlining (includes a welded metal headlining strip above the tailgate door);
- Trim code of 18V, 60A, 65A, 67V ;
- 8WM70 (van) or 8WM80 (ute) on body identification Plate; and
- Seating capacity of “2” on ADR plate.
Body Identification Plate - Showing HX Sandman Van - 8WM70 and Sandman Trim code of 18V.
If your HX van or ute has full headlining, GTS components and a trim code of 18V or as mentioned above, but the body identification plate says HX8WN70 or HX8WN80, then it is a Kingswood van or ute with GTS components most likely fitted after purchase and is not a Sandman.
HX Tyre Placard
Where XU4 is referenced this is the derated stock Kingswood or Belmont fitted with sedan tyres, but not a Sandman.
| Engine Type | Model | Placard # |
|---|---|---|
| 6cyl XX7 or XU4 | Panel Van & Ute 10cwt | 9942990 |
| 4.2L XX7 or XU4 | Panel Van 10cwt | 9942992 |
| V8cyl XX7 or XU4 | Ute 10cwt exc. Aircon | 9942991 |
| V8cyl XX7 or XU4 | Ute 10cwt with Aircon | 9942992 |
HZ Identification
The HZ series includes many of the previous series requirements for a Sandman. The HZ Sandman only ever used the base model Holden rather than the Kingswood and a 253 standard or 308 optioned V8 were the only engine options. If the body identification plate shows 8WN70 or 8WN80 which indicates Kingswood then this is a not a Sandman. The HZ Sandman had the following features:
- GTS components, GTS dash, console shift, rally rims and bucket seats;
- Full length headlining (includes a welded metal headlining strip above the tailgate door);
- Twin headlights;
- Metallic paint optional;
- Front air dam;
- Trim codes of 11C, 18V, 23C, 23V, 33C, 45V, 60V, 63C, 63V, 67V or 77C;
- 8WM70 (van) or 8WM80 (ute) on body identification plate;
- Seating capacity of “2” on ADR plate;
- Tyre placard number of either 9946866 for XX7 or 92001123 for XU3; and
- Door courtesy lights
- XU3 or XX7 stamped on the on ADR plate if vehicle is Brisbane built.
What the Codes Mean
Late HQ – HZ series
Let's break down the VIN plate details from this example below:
Example code - 8-M-70-R-H-L4-02936-Z
8 – Australian Holden Designation
M – Model Code
M – Commercial
N – Kingswood
70 – Body Style
70 – Panelvan
80 – Ute
R – Engine
D - 2.85lt
L – 3.3lt
R – 4.2lt
T – 5.0lt
H – Model Year
D – 1974
E – 1975
F – 1976
G – 1977
H – 1978
L4 – Assembly Plant
H1-H4 – Brisbane
H5-H9 – Sydney
J1-J9 – Dandenong
L1-L5 – Adelaide
02936 – Serial Number
Z – Series code
Q-HQ
J-HJ
X-HX
Z-HZ
Body Identification Plate Details
At first glance we can identify this as a Sandman, because of the unique XX7 stamp on the top right of the plate. This indicates that it was built at Acacia Ridge Plant (QLD). However the process is still the same if the XX7 or XU3 were not there.
Model HJ8WM70 or M80
M70 - Panelvan
M80 - Ute
N70 or N80 is the Kingswood code therefore not a Sandman.
Engine Code - L31
L?? - 173 High compression
L20 - 202 High compression
L32 - 253 High compression
L31 - 308
Trans Code - M21
M20 - 4 Speed wide ratio (6cyl & 253 V8)
M21 - 4 Speed close ratio (308 V8 only)
M40 - Trimatic (except HJ-HZ 308)
M41 - TH400 (HJ-HZ 308 only)
M38 - TH350 (late HZ 308)
Australian Design Rules (ADR) Plate
05/76 - Date of build
BHJ 58339A - HJ model & chassis number
GVW 1950kg - Gross Vehicle Weight
Seating Cap 2 - Seating Capacity