SANDMAN - NOW SHOWING
As the HQ-series neared the end of its production run in 1974, the first Sandman hit local showrooms. Marketed at upwardly mobile young guys with a penchant for surfing, the ute and panel van range was offered with six or eight-cylinder power and drew styling cues from the SS and GTS range and a two-seat layout with floor-shift (manual or automatic) transmissions only. It also had a slathering of decals and pin-striping. The inside of the Sandman arrived to the new buyer plain, so the first owner could customise it as they wanted: a rack for surf boards, a cooler for the food and beer, or maybe a bed for those ‘relaxing’ moments. Brochures featured terms such as “105 cubic feet of party room” and “personal pleasure machine”, which when combined with scantily-clad women in the illustrations offered no doubt to what many new owners used their Sandman vans for. In popular Australian culture, the Sandman was known as a ‘sin bin’ or a ‘shaggin’ wagon’, amongst even more lurid descriptions. By the end of 1979 the Sandman's popularity had largely waned with firstly the ute phased out, followed soon after by the panel van. The original Sandman was built across four generations, the HQ, the HJ, the HX and the HZ. The HQ was built in a very limited volume between January and September of 1974. All HQ Sandman vans were based on the entry-level Belmont. It seems that no more than 100 were produced, all equipped with the 253-cubic-inch V8. The HJ was an evolution of the HQ, with a facelifted grille, front guards and bonnet. The HX remained similar externally, the most significant changes were updated engines to meet emission requirements. The HZ was the final incarnation of the Sandman and featured Radial Tuned Suspension, which significantly improved handling. It also featured a revised front-end look, with twin-headlights on either side of the grille. By the time the HZ had arrived, the marketing executives at Holden realised there was no call for a six-cylinder in a Sandman and so the 253-cubic-inch V8 became the standard option, with the 308-cubic-inch engine remaining optional. Holden released a concept Sandman in 2000, as well as producing a VF Commodore-based tribute in 2015.
1976 HOLDEN HX SANDMAN PANELVAN
If ever a car has penetrated the psyche of the young Australian male, then the Holden Sandman panel van and utility ranks right at the top. Its genesis came when Holden’s product planners noticed the ever-increasing sales of V8 panel vans and utilities to younger customers. At the same time Holden’s design department, led by Leo Pruneau, had watched the increasing trend of customised panel van interiors and wild exterior paint jobs. Holden put Monaro front guards on a Belmont panel van, blacked out the headlight surrounds, added a Monaro GTS steering wheel and stood back as they flew out of the dealerships." Leo also wanted to have a mattress as an official Holden option. The CEO said no to that idea. But Leo did get a tent to cover the rear tailgate on the options list. "Suddenly your car becomes your personal pleasure machine" said the brochure. "Lean, lithe and ready to go" shouted the print advertisements. It was a toss-up if they were describing the car or the occupants because none of the advertisements seemed to contain a fully clothed person. Ford and Chrysler quickly followed with their Sundowner and Drifter respectively. The car on display has been restored to an original state apart from wheels, exhaust, and quad headlight front.
1976 HOLDEN HX SANDMAN PANELVAN
The Sandman on display is a ‘Mint Julep’ green car, built in December of 1976. It has a factory-fitted 308-cubic inch V8 and 4-speed manual transmission. The HX Sandman was available in 17 different colours, with many young purchasers opting for standout colours like Royal Plum, Papaya, Absinth Yellow or the Mint Julep as specified on this van. Many Sandmans were modified immediately after purchase, with many being painted in even more extravagant colours, fitted with lush interiors and hotted up engines. The modification of vans in Australia was so popular that a number of magazines were published dedicated to the subject, with Van Wheels (which eventually morphed into Street Machine), being the most popular Australian magazine on vans. Even ‘Restored Cars’, a magazine which to this day features traditionally restored cars from the 1930s through to the ‘50s, had a spin off; ‘Custom Vans & Trucks’, printed between 1976 and 1981. Eventually the craze died down during the early 1980s, but today panelvans from Chrysler, Ford and Holden are a nostalgic memory for those who grew up with them. The Sandman on display was sold new at Preston Motors Dandenong in February 1977.
1976 HOLDEN HX SANDMAN PANELVAN
Launched in 1976, the HX built on the success of the earlier HJ, refining both style and performance while keeping the spirit that made it a cultural icon. The exterior received a subtle refresh, with a new grille, updated bumpers, and sharper tail lights. The distinctive Sandman stripes and decals returned, now with a slightly bolder, more modern appearance. Under the skin, the HX carried forward the popular V8 engines with minor improvements for smoother running and reliability. Suspension and handling were refined, giving a more stable ride, particularly when loaded with surfboards, camping gear, and friends. Inside, the HX offered small but noticeable upgrades, with improved seat trim and continued options such as the GTS steering wheel and plush shag carpet in the rear. These changes made the HX Sandman a more polished, comfortable, and practical version of the original, without losing any of the adventurous, beach-ready personality that made the Sandman an enduring symbol of youth, freedom, and Aussie lifestyle. The Sandman on display is a factory ‘Persian sands’ colour car.
1977 HOLDEN HX SANDMAN UTILITY
The HX model was introduced in July of 1976 to meet Australian federal requirements of low emission vehicles. The Sandman on display was purchased new by a 21 year old at the local Holden dealership, Motors Launceston in 1977. He paid a total of $7134 for the vehicle. It is painted in the factory colour of ‘Persian Sand’ and is a factory 4-speed, 308 cubic-inch V8 car. It was owned by the first owner until 1989 and served him as a workhorse as well as a daily driver, with a large amount of rural driving. The body shows signs of encounters with local wildlife, there is still visible evidence from a brush with a kangaroo on the passenger-side door. Compared to a standard HX Holden utility, the Sandman was fitted with bucket seats, a GTS-style dash and sportier trim. Fewer Sandman utes were built than vans, although an exact production figure is unknown. While the vans quickly earned a reputation as ‘sin bins’, the Sandman utes were mostly purchased by tradesmen or those wanting a mix between a Monaro GTS and the standard utility offered by Holden.