Sandman Owners Club

The above information can only be used if the dash/gloveblox hasn't been changed at any stage. The 6cyl and V8 14.5 Cwt utes and panelvans have the same tyre placard part number as that of the standard 6cyl and V8's. Therefore making it harder to identify using this method alone. But when added to more information from the ID plates you can pretty much guarantee you have an original sandman or not.

Note: The tyre placard should not be removed as it is part of the Australian Design Rule, (ADR), requirements.

Allot of people believe that if a panelvan had a full length headlining, it was definitely a Sandman. This is not the case as the Kingswood Panelvan also had a full length headlining.

However limited information on identifying Sandmans can still be obtained from the codes on the ID and Safety Compliance plates. These plates are found in the vehicles engine bay, (figure 1).

What these plates mean:

- V.I.N Plate
(Vehicle Identification Number).

- Vehicle Serial Number
(Chassis Number).

- Body Identification Plate
This plate shows body styles, body serial number, paint and trim colour combination, paint number, engine, transmission and axle ratio options, (figure 2).

- Safety Compliance Plate
Shows vehicle series, model, style, month and year of production, vehicle serial number, approved seating capacity, G.V.W in kilograms (commercials only), and the Australian Design Rules (ADRs) to which the vehicle complies, (figure 3).

Using the information on the plates we can then determine the certain features of that model.

Figure1 - Plate location

Figure 2 - Body ID plate

Figure 3 - Safety Compliance plate

What these codes mean:

ENG: (Engine)
L20 - 202.
L31 - 308.
L32 - high compression 253.
L33 - low compression 253.

TRANS: (Transmission)
M15 - Three speed column shift manual, (except 308 & 350).
M20 - Four speed floor shift manual.
M21 - Four speed close ratio floor shift manual.
M22 - Four speed floor shift manual, (wide ratio) (six cyl commercial only).
M40 - Trimatic three speed column or console shift auto.
M41 - Turbo-Hydra-Matic 400 three speed column or console shift auto (308 only). Replaced in May 1979 by Turbo-Hydra-Matic 350.
M38 - Turbo-Hydra-Matic 350.

RRAXLE (Rear Axle / Diff Ratio)
GU4 - 3.08:1.
GU7 - 2.78:1.
GU8 - 3.90:1.
GV2 - 3.36:1 - only applicable to V8 HQ's.
GV4 - 3.36:1.
GV7 - 3.55:1.
G70 - 2.60:1 .

Breakdown of the VIN. (Early HQ only)
Eg: VIN - 80170QH500025.

80170	Q	H5	00025
Model number 80170 - 6cyl Panelvan 80270 - 8cyl Panelvan 80180 - 6cyl Ute 80280 - 8cyl Ute	Last letter of vehicle model year (HQ)	Assembly plant code H1 - H4 = Brisbane H5 - H9 = Sydney J1 - J9 = Dandenong L1 - L5 = Adelaide L6 - L9 = Perth	Vehicle serial number

Breakdown of the VIN. (Late HQ, HJ-HX-HZ)
Eg: VIN - 8M70RH J598183Z.

8	M	70	R	H	J5	98183	Z
GMH Designation	Model code M = Commercial N = Kingswood	Body Style 70 = Panelvan 80 = Ute	Engine L = 3.3L R = 4.2L T = 5.0L	Model Year D = 1974 E = 1975 F = 1976 G = 1977 H = 1978	Assembly plant code H1 - H4 = Brisbane H5 - H9 = Sydney J1 - J9 = Dandenong L1 - L5 = Adelaide	Vehicle Serial Number	Series Code Q = HQ J = HJ X = HX Z = HZ

Note: There were only ever 4 Sandman models released, HQ, HJ, HX and HZ. Holden supposedly produced a WB Sandman, but was never released and a HJ Kingswood Sandman ute, but I'm yet to find any evidence for its existence.

HQ Sandman
The HQ Sandman variants were based on the Belmont model panelvan and ute. The model code on the ID plate should therefore read:
Panelvan: 6cyl - 80170 & 8cyl - 80270
Ute: 6cyl - 80180 & 8cyl - 80280
Anything other than these 4 codes is definitely not a HQ Belmont panelvan or ute.

The HQ model series were released in July 1971, but the HQ Sandman variants weren't released until near the end of the HQ series in January 1974. Therefore if the date on the Compliance Plate is early than January 1974 then its not a Sandman Panelvan or Ute.
HQ Sandmans had bucket seats, therefore the seating capacity should read 2 on the Safety Compliance Plate.

HJ Sandman
The HJ Sandman variants were based on the standard HJ Holden Commercial panelvan and ute. The model code on the ID plate should therefore read:
Panelvan: 8WM70
Ute: 8WM80
Anything other than these 2 codes is definitely not a standard HJ Commercial, therefore not likely to be a Sandman.

The HJ model series was released in October 1974.

HJ Sandmans had bucket seats, therefore the seating capacity should read 2 on the Safety Compliance Plate.

Both the HQ and HJ Sandmans had the series 1 Sandman decals.
For more information see the HQ Sandman, HJ Sandman and Sandman Decals sections.

HX Sandman
The HX Sandman variants were based on the standard HX Holden Commercial panelvan and ute, not the Kingswood panelvan and ute as some have thought. The model code on the ID plate should therefore read:
Panelvan: 8WM70
Ute: 8WM80
Anything other than these 2 codes is definitely not a standard HX Commercial, therefore not likely to be a Sandman.

The HX model series was released in July 1976.

HX Sandmans had bucket seats, therefore the seating capacity should read 2 on the Safety Compliance Plate.

HZ Sandman
The HZ Sandman variants were based on the standard HZ Holden Commercial panelvan and ute, not the Kingswood panelvan and ute as some have thought. The model code on the ID plate should therefore read:
Panelvan: 8WM70
Ute: 8WM80
Anything other than these 2 codes is definitely not a standard HZ Commercial, therefore not likely to be a Sandman.

The HZ model series was released in July 1977.

A couple of notable differences with the HZ Sandmans - V8 only. With the 4.2litre (253) as standard and the 5.0litre (308) as an option. Therefore if it has a 6cyl then its not a Sandman.
Twinheadlight front with GTS style plastic front air dam.
HZ had RTS - Radial Tuned Suspension. RTS badges are located on the dashboard facia and lower tailgate.
HZ Sandmans had bucket seats, therefore the seating capacity should read 2 on the Safety Compliance Plate.

Both the HX and HZ Sandmans had the series 2 Sandman decals.
For more information see the HX Sandman, HZ Sandman and Sandman Decals sections.

If the above information corresponds to your vehicle, you can make one last check to make sure it is definitely a Sandman ute or van. This involves the payload capacity of your vehicle. Examining many ID tag sets reveals that if a vehicle meets the above criteria, the payload capacity will be the reduced or derated figure. This indicates ER70H14 tyres and almost certainly a Sandman.

Payload Capacity:- a commercial vehicle is designed to carry a load. When you buy a commercial vehicle, your
decision to buy is usually based on carrying capacity (both volume and weight). Why on earth would someone buy a commercial vehicle and then order it to carry less weight than it was designed to? Because of safety and warranty issues, Holden had to alert the owner to the fact that a payload derating applied to a particular vehicle. This is reflected in two places, the Safety Compliance plate and the tyre placard.

The information on this page is to the best of my knowledge, correct. Although basic, it can offer some help, but without going into major detail on interior, driveline and body specifications it is hard to identify Sandmans. These vehicles are very easily modified and so identification is made even harder.

For more Sandman Identification information please visit www.monaroparts.com

	Sandman Owners Club P.O Box 12 Ocean Grove 3226 Victoria
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