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The
Holden
-The other 2 door Click on Sandman image above to
go to Sandmania for the full story!!!
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HQ Sandman
After the relaese of the Series II HQ Monaro, Holden took a serious view to making a truly sporty recreational vehicle after the 'sun and surf' youth culture of Australia was starting to take hold. With the union movement at a very strong stage and working and pay conditions very good, the youth had money to spend and recreational time to fill. Finally in January '74 the first model Holden Sandman rolled off the line. Available in both panelvan and ute form they were till fill the void that was in the marketplace. The HQ Sandman came equipped with distinctive GTS style slotted front guards, GTS Rally wheels, bucket seats, GTS steering wheel, full instrumentation, Sandman decals and stripes. An extremely soft suspension was one dissapointing factor to the introduction of the HQ Sandman range. The introduction of the HQ GTS/4 and the Sandman panelvan heralded the start of the extinction process for the Monaro Coupe, as the Sandman quickly became the two door of choice for the young Australian male (for obvious reasons it was a winner). The HQ was to last only 9 months (apropriate time frame for the Sandman?), and as a consequence an original HQ Sandman Van is extremely hard to find.
HJ Sandman
Released in October 1974, the HJ Sandman followed the lead of the Monaro with the bold blunt front that somehow seemed to suit the van better than the sedan. Once again the Sandman was tricked up with all the GTS options and came equipped with the same decals as the HQ series. Holden's plans for the Monaro Coupe were made obvious when the Sandman recieved more attention than its two door cousin. Marketing unashamedly directly to the 'sand, sex and surf' generation, the Sandman was sought after and another Holden legend was now born. Some of the marketing ploys were very 'risque' for the times and many of the adds would have todays "Civil Libertarians" up in arms but they did prove that Sex Sells.
HX Sandman
Released in July of '76 the HX Sandman had all the features of the previous model with the major refinement being the steering column mounted windscreen wiper/light dipper switch, however it's detoxed engine combinations were a problem as in the Monaro. (Who gives a shit abouth the ADR anyway. Most of these engines have been modified by now and should not deter any one from making a purchase of a HX/Z). Bold new side stipes, full width tailgate Sandman decals, improved external rear vision mirrors made for a much sportier appearance and would not change to the end of the Sandman itself.
HZ Sandman
The HZ (October 77 - April 1980) model remained virtually unchanged from its predecessor except for the twin headlight Premier front fitted with a spoiler but unfortunately the Holden design team sacrificed the sporty look to some extent when they didn't fit the GTS style slotted front guards to the HZ range. The introduction of Radial Tuned Suspension on the HZ was a bonus and it also finally handled as well as the sedans. I joined the queue to be a Sandman owner.(above)
The Kingswood-based panel vans and utes continued production with the intoduction of the WB model and ran until early 1985. Holden however could not see the market for the Sandman to continue and these models were destinied to remain as workhose vehicles only.
Although it is now largely forgotten, the Sandman came in both panel van and ute body styles, although the panel van has come to be universally synonimous with the Sandman mystique. Ford and Chrysler both dabbled at a rival for the Sandman (see below) but could not capture the appeal (or the market) to be a serious threat. The Sandman name has stood the test of time and vehicles still parade our streets adourned with murials, rear deck fitouts as well as in the standard form and the current crop of owners will still tell you…If the Vans a , Don't come Knockin
The Competitors
Ford introduced the Falcon Sundower to go head
to head with the Sandman 
And
Valliant by Chrysler thought they could compete with this
Drifter.
Hehehe! Both No Match!!
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