Holden to bring back Sandman in 2015 as a wagon & ute

[Ruination]

Whats with the appeal to surfers?
Most dudes I know that hang ten still drive around in banged up old corollas. They barely have enough coin between them to buy a few bottles of Coopers let alone a brand new Sandman hahaha

[Bossxr8]

On the news they said that it's been bagged unmercifully by Holden fanatics as nothing but a pathetic gimmick and an insult to the original.

If even the Holden loyalists are getting stuck into it then you know they have gone too far.

And the seat fabric is an April Fools joke right?

[DFB FGXR6]

Its amazing how much publicity Holden have gained from this. All from some black paint, a few stickers and some horrid orange seat covers and calling it Sandman.

Also amazing the contrast between Holden and Ford.

Ford are happy to leave the Falcon in the corner to die quietly.

Holden on the other hand are milking the old Commodore warhorse for everything its got.

So the question is, what old name plate will be wheeled out next? Premier? Monaro? Belmont?

[Top_Ghia]

I think it's a great idea. There is only 250 being made. Being Holden though, that strict 250 limited edition will probably be more of a guideline and will be more like 2500 if it kicks off.
And the orange shag pile on the seats is just a slip on cover so don't panic there.

But the let down for me is the colours. They've really let loose with black, white and way out there silver. Ho hum.

The Holden spokesman also said there is more retro stuff to come. No doubt they're keen to cash in on some of the GT-F style success.

[au2000]

Originally Posted by Top_Ghia

I think it's a great idea. There is only 250 being made. Being Holden though, that strict 250 limited edition will probably be more of a guideline and will be more like 2500 if it kicks off.
And the orange shag pile on the seats is just a slip on cover so don't panic there.

But the let down for me is the colours. They've really let loose with black, white and way out there silver. Ho hum.

The Holden spokesman also said there is more retro stuff to come. No doubt they're keen to cash in on some of the GT-F style success.

VF vacationer anyone??

[Smoke Pursuit]

I'd buy one... Peel off the stickers and ebay the seat covers to some VN muppet...

[MethodX]

Originally Posted by DFB FGXR6

Its amazing how much publicity Holden have gained from this. All from some black paint, a few stickers and some horrid orange seat covers and calling it Sandman.

Also amazing the contrast between Holden and Ford.

Ford are happy to leave the Falcon in the corner to die quietly.

Holden on the other hand are milking the old Commodore warhorse for everything its got.

So the question is, what old name plate will be wheeled out next? Premier? Monaro? Belmont?

Kingswood..... el classico

[iCat]

I reckon it looks cheap. Trading on an icon's name to use up left over coloured plakkie.

[GTP534]

They look more like lambs wool seat covers to me.

[Smoke Pursuit]

They are mate.

[BradEL]

Holden must be getting mighty desperate to call a sportwagon with seat covers and floor mats a Sandman

[marty351]

Originally Posted by au2000

VF vacationer anyone??

VF Holden Special with 13" steelys and limited edition hubcaps.

Oh, and the 186 with supercharger option.

[Sprintey]

Originally Posted by Ruination

Whats with the appeal to surfers?
Most dudes I know that hang ten still drive around in banged up old corollas. They barely have enough coin between them to buy a few bottles of Coopers let alone a brand new Sandman hahaha

Appeals to this surfer. As long as it has the internal loadspace to carry a full quiver (ie, varieties of length) of boards securely, it appeals. So in this case the wagon wins, but you'd have to put the panno conversion on the ute and take out the rear window.

Surf carparks round this way - heaps of Suby wagons 2000 onward, the ubiquitous and very reliable VY Commodore wagon, the hipster longboarder crew are in new leased Mercedes and VW commercial vans (and their fathers are in restored Kombis), there's the odd BF wagon on gas, Territory and the odd Landcruiser wagon and medium SUV. The backpacker crew have their Wicked vans with the funny text and pics all over the sides. Someone rocks up from the city in a convertible with the board tombstoning and we just laugh at them. A few of the tradie surfers have dual cab utes and even shortboards hang out the back of the tray for anyone to flog...

So yeah, the wagon is a winner for me. Quite a few surfers these days have made some coin, and surfing is handed down in families too, so much newer cars than what was in carparks in the early 90's - 95% HK-Z Kingas rusting in the wind.

[Sprintey]

Originally Posted by Top_Ghia

I think it's a great idea. There is only 250 being made. Being Holden though, that strict 250 limited edition will probably be more of a guideline and will be more like 2500 if it kicks off.
And the orange shag pile on the seats is just a slip on cover so don't panic there.

But the let down for me is the colours. They've really let loose with black, white and way out there silver. Ho hum.

The Holden spokesman also said there is more retro stuff to come. No doubt they're keen to cash in on some of the GT-F style success.

Yeah agree about the colours. Some nice metallic purples, greens would be pretty cool. One thing for sure, this is generating a LOT of talk & opinion. If they sell, then maybe the colours will return...

Oh yeah, all the original Sandmans were a sticker pack on the Belmont commercial ute and van - a bit like the 'GS' pack you got stickers, sports dash and wheel covers/rims. Holden also exploited a tax loophole in the early 70's - vehicles judged 'commercial' had less sales tax so you could sell them cheaper.

Most intriguing was the Ford Surferoo, that was a full conversion for the traveling surfer done by the factory. I'd say they might have sold a couple new to the morally fluid crew coming off the hash running circuits back in the wild 1970s.

[Sprintey]

Surf carparks - forgot to add a good XH Falcon pannelly is respected. I've talked to a few others who have/have owned/want them and they are a bit of a prized possession.
Arguably more practical and more sensible coin to spend than a new Sandman.

[STINKY NINJA]

I saw a silver one today and thought it looked alright,id cruise around in it with a sticker on the back that says"dont laugh,your daughter is in here with me"

[au2000]

Originally Posted by marty351

VF Holden Special with 13" steelys and limited edition hubcaps.

Oh, and the 186 with supercharger option.

Available colours, beige, cream & nutmeg brown .....
Ohhh sign me up .

Tbh the best of the recent com wagons for me is the ve 2 Calais V. . . . Or th current clubby wagons,

[Silver Ghia]

Originally Posted by BradEL

Holden must be getting mighty desperate to call a sportwagon with seat covers and floor mats a Sandman

It will never be a Sandman as its not a panelvan.

IIRC the Sandman was a big flop in the '70's anyway and was something not to be seen in as it was far inferior to the heavily modified panelvans that stood out with their airbrush designs, chrome side exhausts and tinted side windows and curtains, with the plush velour and fluffy carpeted interiors.

[castellan]

Originally Posted by Sprintey

Yeah agree about the colours. Some nice metallic purples, greens would be pretty cool. One thing for sure, this is generating a LOT of talk & opinion. If they sell, then maybe the colours will return...

Oh yeah, all the original Sandmans were a sticker pack on the Belmont commercial ute and van - a bit like the 'GS' pack you got stickers, sports dash and wheel covers/rims. Holden also exploited a tax loophole in the early 70's - vehicles judged 'commercial' had less sales tax so you could sell them cheaper.

Most intriguing was the Ford Surferoo, that was a full conversion for the traveling surfer done by the factory. I'd say they might have sold a couple new to the morally fluid crew coming off the hash running circuits back in the wild 1970s.

Sandman was never a Belmont.
HQ-J was a option up Kingswood and could be had with a 6 cyl.
HX-Z was a GTS carpet on the floor chrome door sills and all only with a V8.

VF Sandman station wagon is pushing it a bit to far, can you lay down in the back of them as they have less length room than even the VZ station wagon have.

[Sprintey]

I reckon they might have been Castellan, model codes on Sandman in HQ were:
80170 for 6, 270 for V8 - Belmont panel van
80180 for 6, 280 for V8 - Belmont Utility.

Kingswood ute was 80380 for 6, 480 for V8

Quote:
"Another commercial option appearing late in the (HQ) range were the Sandman ute and van. These were a type of GTS variant of the commercial range. Interior and exterior features were similar to the SS (which was Belmont based), but the engine and brake options were standard fare."

[Sprintey]

HJ series code: 8WM70 which is 'panelvan including Sandman' as Belmont name dropped.

HX Series got a 8WN70 Kingswood panel van option, maybe this was Sandman as well?
HZ Sandman this code 8WN70

So yeah, both Belmonts and Kingswoods over the years. First ones had Belmont codes.

[castellan]

Originally Posted by Sprintey

HJ series code: 8WM70 which is 'panelvan including Sandman' as Belmont name dropped.

HX Series got a 8WN70 Kingswood panel van option, maybe this was Sandman as well?
HZ Sandman this code 8WN70

So yeah, both Belmonts and Kingswoods over the years. First ones had Belmont codes.

My HX Sandman is HX8WM70 (XX7)
L31 M21 GV4
It's the XX7 that makes it a true Sandman.
I think in the XU3 she is then a Heavy Duty Sandman.

Can't say I remember seeing a true HQ Sandman back in the day, because every man and his dog had something different done to his van.
My HX did not have the Sandman or the stripes on it when I bought it in 1983 and it had a black HJ grill.

[GasoLane]

Originally Posted by BradEL

Holden must be getting mighty desperate to call a sportwagon with seat covers and floor mats a Sandman

I thought they were desperate calling a station wagon a 'sports' wagon.

But if car manufactures (specifically the US) can call a 4wd an SUV (Sports Utility Vehicle) they can get away with calling them anything

[701let]

Originally Posted by GasOLane

I thought they were desperate calling a station wagon a 'sports' wagon.

But if car manufactures (specifically the US) can call a 4wd an SUV (Sports Utility Vehicle) they can get away with calling them anything

What else would you call a v8 SS wagon? they are certainly look a lot sportier than the older commodore and falcon wagons

[GasoLane]

Originally Posted by 701let

What else would you call a v8 SS wagon? they are certainly look a lot sportier than the older commodore and falcon wagons

I'd call it a V8 SS Wagon.

Station Wagons have primarily been for the family man and reps.

[nstg8a]

Originally Posted by Silver Ghia

It will never be a Sandman as its not a panelvan.

IIRC the Sandman was a big flop in the '70's anyway and was something not to be seen in as it was far inferior to the heavily modified panelvans that stood out with their airbrush designs, chrome side exhausts and tinted side windows and curtains, with the plush velour and fluffy carpeted interiors.

Wasn't the original a ute?

[Express]

Originally Posted by castellan

My HX Sandman is HX8WM70 (XX7)
L31 M21 GV4
It's the XX7 that makes it a true Sandman.
I think in the XU3 she is then a Heavy Duty Sandman.

Can't say I remember seeing a true HQ Sandman back in the day, because every man and his dog had something different done to his van.
My HX did not have the Sandman or the stripes on it when I bought it in 1983 and it had a black HJ grill.

Back then there were lots of things available if you asked.

My 1977 HX Ute came from the factory optioned with a L34, M21 & GV4 (being a 3.36:1 ratio).

It wasn’t a Sandman, it was a special order Kingswood.

And I was too young to realise how rare it was and pulled the engine to replace it with a Chev.

[701let]

[QUOTE=GasOLane;5362407]I'd call it a V8 SS Wagon.

Station Wagons have primarily been for the family man and reps.[/QUOTE

It is hardly a family mans station of years gone by.. Its not exactly leaf sprung and shaped like a box on wheels. Anyway getting off topic

[Raptor]

Originally Posted by nstg8a

Wasn't the original a ute?

Yes .

Some here need to learn some history => http://mysandman.com.au/site/index.p...hived-articles

[tasdex]

simples,,