Restoration Begins & Windowless Question.

[Rolla]

It's been a while guys, but it's official, restoration on my Sandman has finally started! The 308 has been fully rebuilt and is awaiting to be fitted along with the rest of the running gear. At present it's at paint stage. Currently being stripped. I just found out that my father is paying to have the whole car re=painted. Looks like I'm getting a brand spankin' new paint job too! Woo! So I'm going to need to get a set of decals for the lovely lady too! There is absolutely no rust in the old girl so there isn't much body worK to be done apart from a few small creases and one very small dent.

So since it's being re-painted I want to fix up the only thing i dislike about my Sandman. I dislke the side windows. I have two windows on either side just behind the doors. Are windowless Sandmans worth more? I know windowless are more sought after, but don't know if windowless adds to the value. Probably a stupid question, but as they say there is no harm in asking! Dad wants to know.

PS. I am going to start a blog in regards to the resto of my HJ Holden Sandman Panel Van. Stay tuned folks.

[Innuendo]

I dislke the side windows. I have two windows on either side just behind the doors. Are windowless Sandmans worth more? I know windowless are more sought after, but don't know if windowless adds to the value. Probably a stupid question, but as they say there is no harm in asking! Dad wants to know.

I would say a factory unmolested windowless body is worth more due to desirability and want.
One with filled in windows still has the windowless desirability but probably not worth more then a windowed version.

A lot will have to do with the quality of the fill. I see so many with obvious shrink backs in the paint, cracks in bog etc.
It can be done correctly with complete side panel replacement but the cost to do this will most likely exceed any increase in value.

I'd say you'd be better off leaving it alone.

[wbute]

Just makes them easier to sell. The value of the van is in the quality of the re-build. There is no retail price for a second hand car.

[Gaddy]

I just had the windows filled in in my HX and I supplied 2 complete side panels which were fully welded in.
Ill try and get some pics up soon as it is at the panel shop and I only pop in once a week. Last I was there both sides were replaced, the passenger side completed and the drivers side in bare metal still.
As for value I'm not sure. Like anything it's only worth what someone is willing to pay you for it.

Cheers.

Gaddy.

[Vombil]

I just had the windows filled in in my HX and I supplied 2 complete side panels which were fully welded in.
Ill try and get some pics up soon as it is at the panel shop and I only pop in once a week. Last I was there both sides were replaced, the passenger side completed and the drivers side in bare metal still.
As for value I'm not sure. Like anything it's only worth what someone is willing to pay you for it.

Cheers.

Gaddy.

Very keen to see some pics!

[Valencia]

If it left the factory with windows i would leave them in just my opinion
some vans look good with side windows
cant wait to see colour

[jennie285]

Our red van had the windows filled in, it was done very professionally even used the vertical stiffeners from a wrecked sandman, so its completely correct lol....it looks so much better I think, but its your van so you need to make a choice.





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[Vombil]

If it left the factory with windows i would leave them in just my opinion
some vans look good with side windows
cant wait to see colour

? please show me a van with windows that looks better than his twin brother without!

windows... barf. but you definitely need to do correctly. Its a big panel to have sink backs and unsightly wobbles in.

ive been quoted $600 per window to get into primer stage. this business has done loads of them so i gather they know what works- recessed lip, body glue, spot welded, hammer and dolly, fill

spend the 2000-2500 and you'll get it back all day at time of sale

[Valencia]

There is nothing wrong with a van with side windows and chris read again i said good not better with windows

[Vombil]

sorry mate. they can be made to look OK. windowless is obviously 'better'