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U
tes and recreational pursuits have become so
interwoven today that car-makers promote the lifestyle
aspects of their commercial vehicles as much as their
work ethic.
This is partly due to the rise of the suburban ‘weekend
warrior’ desperate for out-of-hours adventure, but traditional
buyers are also naturally drawn to a vehicle’s potential as both
a tool of the trade and one that fits the bill away from work.
Holden knew this all too well back in the 1970s when it
created the Sandman panel van and ute, tapping into surf
culture and an Australian psyche that valued freedom and,
ahem, free love.
And now the legendary model is back – in name, at least.
The panel van is long gone, and not coming back as Holden
prepares to close its Australian car-making operations in 2017,
taking the Commodore-based two-door model with it. But for a
limited time, the lion brand is aiming to rekindle the Sandman
spirit with a special-edition ute and station wagon.
Adding $2,950 on to the price of SSV and SV6 models, and on
sale from June, the Sandman edition comes with some familiar
retro decals that contrast with 20” gloss-black wheels and
blackened fender vents, grille and sports bars.
Holden’s design team has also come up with unique
Sandman dashboard stitching, sunshades, floor mats and,
for an extra outlay, orange sheepskin seat inserts. An orange
shagpile cargo rug was also developed for the wagon (that’s
Sportwagon these days, not shaggin’ wagon) but we see no
reason why it couldn’t be added to the ute’s tray.
Individual build plates are also provided.
The modern-era VF Ute is a far cry from the 1974 HQ Holden,
which was the first Sandman series, followed by the HJ (1974-
76), HX (1976-77) and HZ (1977). Certainly it is safer, more
powerful and far more sophisticated.
But surfboards and larrikins are still a common sight around
tradies’ utes, and this Sandman-inspired edition could be just
the thing to complete the image.
Holden Australia
www.holden.com.auHOLDEN SANDMAN