HX Identification

GM Holden introduced new styling to the HX Sandman range with brighter colours and significantly changed decals. All Sandman vehicles were now based on the commercial Holden panelvan or ute with Kingswood accessories but not a  Kingswood based Sandman.  The first thing when identifying a Sandman is the 2 seat capacity on the compliance plate.

  • Build commenced 7/76.
  • Bucket Seats. 2 Seat Capacity on Safety Compliance Plate.
  • Headlining Trim - full length.
  • Console Floorshift - Manual Transmission - 4 speed.
  • GTS Cluster Instruments - Fascia Silver
  • GTS Rally Wheels.
  • GTS Headlamp Bezels.
  • GTS Steering Wheel - 5mm thick spokes.
  • Tim codes of 18V, 60A, 65A, 67A.
  • Kingswood Door Trims and Hardware.
  • Front Door Armrests.
  • Cigar Lighter
  • Front Door Jamb Light Switches.
  • Front Door Sill Plates - Bright.
  • Decal Packages.

Delete

  • Tailgate 'Holden' Badge.
  • Tailgate Engine Badge.
  • Holden Grille and Badge.

Add

  • GTS Black Painted Grille.
  • Kingswood Lion Grille Badge.
  • Blackout Paint Door Frames and Door Openings.
  • Black Painted Door Handles.
  • Black Painted Windshield surround mouldings.
  • Black Painted Lukey 'Slim Line' Door Mirrors.
  • Black Paint tailgate window surround (Panelvan).
  • Mylar Insert - Rear Window seal (Ute).
  • Bright Taillight Surrounds.

HX Identification Plates Explained

The HX plates are very similar to the HJ and the next series the HZ, but we will breakdown the numbers to help identify a genuine Sandman.

Firstly here is an example of a HX Body ID plate, at first glance this plate looks like any other commercial based panel van but with one notable point. We know this is a Commercial vehicle because of the M on the Model line.  If you look at the third line which is the Trim code, you will notice the trim code is 18V which we know is Black but this code for HX is commonly used for the Kingswood range.  Therefore we want to investigate the other plates further, because a Sandman is generally a commercial vehicle with some Kingswood options.

hx plates

 

Body Identification Plate Breakdown

The Body Identification Plate has five significant lines relevant to the Holden Sandman which we will explain from the above plate as an example line by line.

Model

  • HX - is the series of the vehicle.
  • 8W - signifies Holden Australia.
  • M - defines this as a commercial vehicle or N for Kingswood. If it was a Kingswood it is definitely not a Sandman in the HX range.
  • 70 - is the Body style in this case a panel van or 80 for ute.

Body No

  • This is the unique number of the body assigned from the body assembly plant.

Trim

  • 1886 - Is the paint combination code and varies on the exterior paint.
  • 18V - Indicates the trim code, in this case it is Black and as already mentioned generally a Kingswood code for black.

Paint

  • 15949 - See the paint colour chart for a detailed reference.

Last Line

  • Eng - Engine type
    • L32 - V8 253
    • L31 - V8 308
  • Trans - Transmission type
    • M20 - 4 speed wide ratio (V8 253)
    • M21 - 4 speed close ratio (V8 308 only)
    • M40 - Trimatic (not V8 308)
    • M41 - TH400 (V8 308 only)

 

hx plates

Compliance Plate Breakdown

The Compliance Plate (ADR Plate) has four sections and two important descriptors relevant to the Holden Sandman.

GVW

  • Gross Vehicle Weight - This is significant in determining a genuine Sandman and for the HX will be below
    • 1950kg - V8 Panel van
    • 1860kg - V8 or 6cyl for Ute

Seat Cap

  • To even be in contention as a possible genuine Sandman it must have 2 seat capacity - not 3. We have come across one plate that had a 2 stamped over a 3 but the Body ID Plate was marked with XX7 so doubt was removed.  This plate was known as the Monday shift Sandman and is obviously a mistake and a rare one at that! If you are looking for a genuine Sandman and see 3 on the seat capacity it is a good idea to just walk away.

Date

  • Indicates the build completion date, very simple.

Chassis Number

  • These numbers will identify that the body matches the chassis number. The chassis number is located on the top of the front chassis rail next to the steering box if the chassis has a 'P' preceding the numbers. This would be a Police stamp to indicate the chassis has been damaged, stolen or mismatched at some stage. Each State in Australia has a different method in police stamping so check with your local authorities.

 

hx plates

Vehicle Identification Number (VIN)

The VIN is the unique identification number for the car and is recorded Nationally as the Identification of the car. There is nothing on this plate that will identify it as a genuine Sandman or not, however the details are here on how to decode the letters and numbers.

Example 8M70RGL365514X

  • 8 - GM Holden Australia
  • M - Commercial vehicle or N for Kingswood
  • 70 - Panelvan (80 for Ute)
  • R - Engine Type
    • L - 3.3lt (202 6cyl)
    • R - 4.2lt (V8 253)
    • T - 5.0lt (V8 308)
  • G - Model Year
    • D - 1974
    • E - 1975
    • F - 1976
    • G - 1977
    • H - 1978
  • L3 - Assembly Plant
    • H1-H4 - Acacia Ridge (Brisbane)
    • H5-H9 - Pagewood (Sydney)
    • J1-J9 - Dandenong (Melbourne)
    • L1-L5 - Elizabeth (Adelaide)
  • 65514 - PSN which is the unique serial number.
  • X - Series Code
    • Q - HQ
    • J - HJ
    • X - HX
    • Z - HZ

ID Plate Location

id plates

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XX7 & XU3

XX7 Special Vehicle Package was the name designated by GM Holden to the Sandman while the XU3 Special Vehicle Package was released later in mid 1975 during the HJ series, giving GM Holden an additional Sandman model on the market.

  • XX7 used standard passenger vehicle tyres (10cwt).

  • XU3 used the standard commercial tyres, rated for load carrying (14.5cwt).

  • HQ and early HJ did not carry derated tyres.

  • The GVM of a HJ-HZ will help you establish if it could be a genuine Sandman.

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