Just another set of plates and a vehicle for discussion (HX)

[Lupine]

Sorry in advance for poor picture quality and hopefully I've added them correctly.

IMG_20160202_175148.jpg

IMG_20160202_175205.jpg

IMG_20160202_175238.jpg

IMG_20160202_175418.jpg

Firstly we are trying to decided if the plates look to have been removed at any point, something tells us they must have been. So we are going to the masses for more ideas and ways of looking at it.

The photo's are of the plates currently attached to the vehicle. The plate matches the chassis from what we can see. Can we get a breakdown of the plate if someone has 5mins. We are also in the process of submitting it all to historical services so should have that back in a few weeks as well.

(It has had things swapped and changed around a fair bit by the looks of it and as such will be a long slow rebuild/restoration however we are currently of a million minds about what direction we should take it in which is part of the reason we've decided to post here. Currently the dash and inside has been swapped from original and the original motor is no longer present either.)

What thoughts have you???

[maxsandman]

G'day Lupine.
Im no expert but the numbers look like it could be a Sandman with GVM & 60A trim. Yes the tags have been off by the pop rivets.

Usually H.H.S. will get back to you with a email in a day or two, & they will confirm if it is a Sandman.

I think the Paint is Sierra Tan & interior is Chamois/Black. 253 engine & M20 manual gearbox. Adelaide body

cheers
Max

[Dick61]

The main thing to ascertain is if the internal fittings for the console and full length headlining are there, Chamois/black interior means that the seats and door trims are chamois and the dash pad and all the plastic parts are black, I think the console is also black, someone will correct me if I'm wrong. The car is Adelaide built not just an Adelaide body. Put up some pictures of the console mounts and inside of the rear of the van. I would be restoring it as per the tags as Sierra Tan is quite a rare colour for a Sandman.

[Lupine]

The main reason for asking if the plates looked removed is because it's not/no longer a van. We were wondering about the chance that perhaps it was a major error. Clearly though it's not.
The original motor is long gone. So what we have is matching plates and chassis and not much else.

We didn't "buy" it as anything in particular, no misrepresentations etc were made about it, it simply is what it is but we are now struggling to decide what the best way to do it up would be. In fact if I hadn't noticed the plate didn't match the body its almost certain that hubby wouldn't of noticed either for a very long time if at all.

Would we be wrong/wasting our time and $ in attempting to "sandman" ute it using the colours off the tag and replacing all the incorrect pieces it has atm or be better off just moving away altogether from the "sandman" trail of thought.

We don't have plans to ever sell it, however we all know how plans and circumstances can change and don't want to be left with something that isn't going to at least hold value.

IMG_20160202_175621.jpg
IMG_20160202_175556.jpg

Also if anyone can share a site or somewhere that might be more suited to our future restoration if we don't really belong here

[Wombat7051]

It could be the original body cut down to a ute.

[Lupine]

It could be the original body cut down to a ute.

Would there be any thing I could suss out on it to see if that was the case?

[maxsandman]

Would there be any thing I could suss out on it to see if that was the case?

Id start by looking at the panel behind the seats, would be easy to see if its been welded there. The ones Ive seen done are a bit rough there.

[Lupine]

I guess we'll just start photographing and getting a good look at more stuff as we pull it down to address the rust issues. It also has 2 compliance/modifications plates... Codes are LA1 and LB1 on a plate dated 2006. Other plate is code LH7 from 2001. One would be related to the engine swap I would imagine. But the other 2 I've no idea.

I know that bucket seats were recently replaced with a bench/folding armrest.

I know the dash has been replaced/or otherwise not correct through the presence of the auto tranny indicator.

[Valencia]

Keep looking would be my advise but your money if its what you want to restore

[seavan]

Lupine, have a look in the tray behind the cab and see if it has the correct drain holes either side, if it was a van they may not be there or have a look on the A pillar for a weld or herringbone type of join where the new roof my have been joined or as mentioned the rear of the cab. Still a nice ute all the same even it has been cut but dont forget, vans were all utes once apon a time on the production line. ( that should get a few bites)