Me and my sand man 308 manual - now looking for another one!

[Robbo_NZ]

In 1974 I was living in Australia traveling around the country, I was driving an old Falcon in Sydney and it broke down, I had seen an HQ Sandman van outside Sutton's in Arncliffe, made some inquiries and shortly afterwards walked away with my brand new 308 Sandman manual - one of the first sold in Australia.

I traveled around Aus for 2 years and then bought it back with me to New Zealand, I believe it was one of, if not the first Sandman in the country at the time. I kept it for a few years and then sold it (sadly!)

I'm just finishing off restoring a 1972 Toyota Crown coupe which I've spent a few years on, and want to move onto my next project, a Holden Sandman - Ideally I'd like an HQ, but knowing how hard they are to find, I'm open to anything - whether it be in New Zealand or Australia, I'm not fussed - what's out there?

Ideally I'd like something which hasn't been restored, and it does have to be a genuine Sandman - please let me know what you got, either by replying here, or sending me an email to jpclauson@slingshot.co.nz

Thanks
Robbo

[davegmh]

Good story. Hope you can find what you're looking for.

[Robbo_NZ]

Thanks davegmh. Certainly am endeavouring to find another one, it's proving to be a real challenge.

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Am attempting to track it down through Land Transport NZ, but so far no result.

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Hoping to hear something from Land Transport NZ soon. Thanks. Are you in NZ or Oz?

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Thanks for the encouragement for my search for another Sandman. Yes, lots of miles and lots of stories. Always good experiences for a young fella before settling down.

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Thanks for the comments. The ROH wheels were a must have back then. But now, the standard press wheels are probably worth more. (I gave mine away for three free car washes!)

[Robbo_NZ]

Sandman 13.png

[Vombil]

Sandman 13.png

killer! such a sweet van. looks like it could tell a few stories

hope you find something. don't rush. plenty of buckets out there. it may take a couple years to find the right one

[jason.ruff]

Wonder what happened to your original one?

[Kiwivan]

If he knows the plate number easy to hunt up to see if it is still around.

Cheers Kiwivan

[Big Rob]

Love the wheels! No wonder everyone threw away the standard wheels and fitted them, they are just so cool and suit the large Holdens.

[Sandaro]

Great memories Robbo. Good luck with the search. Great old photo too

[hqhzvans]

Chrome yellow is there any other colour??, I received a phone from a friend of mine in Melbourne 2 weeks ago informing me he knows of someone down his way with a HQ Sandman for sale minus running gear, dash, wheels and apparently is a bit of a basket case rust wise hard to comment without actually seeing it in the flesh, it is windowless i think plated 308 black interior and lime green (the actual name of the colour I cant think of) he was basically fishing for an ideal on price I told him I thought by the sound of it would only be worth around the 3-4k mark if it was a basket case rust wise havent seen any pictures of it but could find out if it is available still and try and get some contact details if interested.