Dealer optioned HQ 308 Van

[HK1837]

Back to Alien's original Statement, there would never have been a 350 option on a W size commercial as there was none on the base vehicle. The idea was a "sports" optioned commercial, not a "performance" optioned commercial. So van-wise a blank canvas behind the seats for custom paint and decked out back and GTS from the seats forward. This is what Bagshaw got out of his round table discussions with vanners of the day. Sandman idea was for ute mainly (you see this reflected in Be-ute and the Ewe't), but the van interest was rapidly growing and obviously GMH (most likely Bagshaw himself) recognised this and acted. They also probably saw the sales figures for up-specced vans and utes too (4spd, buckets, sports instruments, rally or wide rims etc).

It is also surprising to see the evidence of dealers sitting a new LS350 or GTS350 side by side with a ute or van and doing a driveline swap. Very cool stuff.

[Alien DNA]

It is also surprising to see the evidence of dealers sitting a new LS350 or GTS350 side by side with a ute or van and doing a driveline swap. Very cool stuff.

How did this pass the legalities at the time? It bothers me that to do a SBC conversion requires an eng cert ...... in vic anyways, not sure of other states.

[Absinth]

How did this pass the legalities at the time? It bothers me that to do a SBC conversion requires an eng cert ...... in vic anyways, not sure of other states.

350 was an engine option in HQ model..... Rego doesn't discriminate between passenger and commercial, only that the vehicle is a HQ. As long as the other components are the same as came with a 350 ie brakes, springs, diff etc. You can drop a 350 into a HT/HG ute or van, a 327 into a HK ute or van without engineering it.

Had a mate in Gympie bought a HQ tonner specifically so he could drop a 350 into it without having to engineer it.

[HK1837]

How did this pass the legalities at the time? It bothers me that to do a SBC conversion requires an eng cert ...... in vic anyways, not sure of other states.

Both cars appear in the Service/Warranty records with the engines as swapped by the dealer(s). Ute or van appears with a QU number, LS with a QR. Due to the plant numbering for 350 engines at Dandenong and Pagewood it is known what 350 engine was in each 350 powered car when it left the assembly plant even if numbers aren't in the Service/Warranty records. When the QU number turns up in another car it is easy to see what happened. GMH would have even warranted the driveline in both cars.