i want a sandman van!!

[hdt134]

Hey guys and gals, im playing with the idea of buying a sandman van. Although i have limited knowlege on how to verify one.Ihave been a part of the HDT/brock community for a very long time and i think i need a change. Just wana know whats out there and what can i expect to pay? resto or finished? i have looked at the sale section and have gone back 3 months,hard to gauge price when ebay listings wont show.All help appreciated...

[micks_sandman]

Good onya mate good decision, welcome and you are at the right place, just keep looking/reading and ask plenty of questions, Good Luck. Mick

[Blocker]

My advice FWIW buy one fully restored. You will be looking a lot longer to get one fully restored than a restorer, but it will save you money in the long run.

[HZSandman]

Fully restored blocker? Where's the fun in that?

[Blocker]

Fully restored blocker? Where's the fun in that?

I know I know... but it makes perfect sense, I am enjoying my restoration 'process' I am learning so much about cars and the trade. But these Sandman's are getting harder and harder to find in good condition let alone good enough to restore without throwing buckets of money at them.

[HK1837]

Easy answer: you get to use and enjoy it straight away.

[HZSandman]

certainly cheaper to buy already done. But the pride and joy to have a finished car that you put yourself into.

--- Updated ---

Hi HDT134, I take it you are Ivans mate. He did my van panel work. Good choice on the Sandman. Not many of these history on wheels cars around anymore.

Probably should answer the question originally asked.

Where to start? I am sure what I have to say will be eagerly debated by others but let's get the ball rolling.

First off, I reckon a really well restored van will probably be between $35-$40K. The most expensive one I have seen go is $37K. This was a really great resto but not all the desirable qualities that would push the price a bit higher. I have not seen an excellant reesto for sale for ages. Others may recall something recently.

Un-restored is trickier. For an very rusty body and no GTS bits left you are looking at around $1-$2K. Which is just buying the tags basically. Step up to medium rust and a few GTS bits left then I reckon $3-$6K. Up again to a nice original van with minimal rust and most if not all the original GTS bits then$5-$10K. Have not seen many an original vans go for more than this, but that is mailny because they have a bit of rust. Did see one HZ original with no rust go for around $18K a few years ago. Rare though. Easier to find semi restored vans or vans that may have had a basic scrub up, new paint, etc many years ago. These can go for around $10-$15K.

This is my positive and negative list which adds or reduces the price of a van. (not talking utes here)
HQ Model (rare, I like the HZ for the twin headlight front, the better dash after HQ and the better decals after HJ.) +
308 +
Brisbane built and therefore XX7 on plates ++
Cool seventies colour +
original running gear ++
Windowless +
Original books ++
black interior +
power steering / air con +
sitting in someones shed for 12 years +

HX - (not sure why but seems to be the case)
253 -
6 cyl --
on gas -
crap colour like a brown -
sunroof -
non original chassis -- (heaps of discussion dedicated to this on the forum)

Let the debate rage...

[HK1837]

Good tips. I think however people put too much credence on seeing XX7 on Acacia Ridge plates. For a start there are Acacia Ridge built XU3's out there, and these are identical in spec to XX7's prior to 10/75 (basically a 9/75 XX7 plated HJ is identical to an 11/75 XU3 plated HJ. XX7 after 10/75 is the orphan). There is no reason an obvious Sandman from other assembly plants shouldn't be worth as much. It makes no difference to HQ GTS 4 doors or SS's if they are built in Acacia Ridge, Elizabeth, Dandeonong or Pagewood so Sandmans will be the same. To a buyer that knows what they are looking at, an untouched Survivor Pagewood assembled HQ van will be worth the same as an Acaia Ridge assembled one but otherwise identical. Turn the Acacia Ridge one into a 253 and make the Pagewood one a 308 and auction them off side by side. The 308 will will pull heaps more than the 253. To me the most valuable will always be the 308 examples, regardless of series. HQ V8 will probably always be the most sought after, probably equally shared 2nd between V8 HJ Kingswood ute and V8 HZ Holden van with the rest coming closely behind by personal preference after that. Probably the least popular in the end will be a 202 HX or a 173 drum brake HJ Holden ute or van.

[HZSandman]

Agree on the reasoning on xx7 etc. If it is a sandman then it is. just seems to be that xx7 plated vehicles are more sought after. Most people cant id a sandman unless xx7 is on the plates. Maybe once more people are in the know and there is way more demand than there is at the moment non xx7 examples will be equal in peoples eyes.

[Blocker]

The XX7 stamp is probably sought after because it is unique for the stamping rather than confirmation of identity.

Anyway great list there HZSandman.