V series 'Sandman'

[SMQQTH]

G'day Everyone,

Just wondering how everyone feels about the V series 'Sandman' conversion?

I know this will hit a few nerves of some, though having a look through the site I could not see any acknowledgment of the factory or dealer optioned 'Sandman conversion' V series Vans.

Now people are going to argue weather or not they are Vans let alone Sandman's.

Well I look at it like this in Holden's sale brochure for the VY Panel van Canopy it clearly calls it the 'Sandman conversion'.

So before I go any further what are your guys thoughts on the ultra rear factory (not Amcat) converted V series Sandmans?

Cheers Jon

[HK1837]

It will never be a Sandman panel van. If it is ever seen as a Sandman it'll be as a Sandman ute, with a canopy.

At the end of the day the VE Thunder ute is essentially the modern version of the Sandman. It fits most criteria that the old girls set:

Available as 6cyl or V8.
Available on different models - SV6 and SS (HQ-HJ available on Belmont/Holden and Kingswood).
Comes as the base vehicle does, but gives you mandatory options over and above the base vehicle eg trim, wheels, sat nav, badges etc as a cheaper package than if you optioned all those things separately.
Relatively limited edition (not so much so in HX-HZ where it was essentially a volume "model").

Just my thoughts anyway. If I was etting up judging classes in the future, a VZ ute with a canopy would be judged as a ute as it is called a ute on its tags.

[buickzz]

HK1837 has it spot on.

[buck]

this one is the only one i would consider as a sandman as it was made by holden and it actually says sandman on it, as far as i am aware there where no other one offs like this.
53255_6mg.jpg
http://www.holden.com.au/concept-car...man-panel-van-

[HQVAN]

this one is the only one i would consider as a sandman as it was made by holden and it actually says sandman on it, as far as i am aware there where no other one offs like this.
53255_6mg.jpg
http://www.holden.com.au/concept-car...man-panel-van-

I believe that it is a van, or at least has the shape of a Panelvan. For the future of vanning I think we need to accept this. I can understand the purists point about it being not being a 'Sandman' but it is what Holden called the conversion! How can you argue with that!

The debate about how they should be judged at shows is always going to be a bone of contention. But I find the argument that they should be judged as utes because that is what they have on their plates a bit farcical, if a Panelvan that has been converted to a ute is then judged a ute, then these converted vans should be judged as vans.

I do think that it is a little unfair to judge modern tin against older tin because a lot more effort has gone into restoring/preserving the older girls, and I think this is where categories at shows should better represent vanning in the modern era.

The same goes for immaculately restored Sandmans and full blown custom vans, there needs to be categories to cater for all facets of vanning.

I for one would love to customise one of the modern 'millennium' vans, All the features
and safety of a modern car in the style of a panelvan.

The one thing I don't like about that write up holden has on the mambo concept van is that they don't give any credit to John Evans, one of the godfathers of vanning, who had a major hand in its build.

[benvanman]

true buck i recon if they actually made these a fair few people would have bought them including me , not so sure about the VE ones tho i think they are still growing on me

[Alien DNA]

Agree with all the comments above.....as much as i'd like them to be be sandmans....they just aren't!

That said, i think the Mambo Sandman (for me anyway) is the coolest concept car Holden has ever done. That interior blew me away when i saw it at the Melbourne motor show....literally told the good lady wife 'come back and get me tomorrow'
Stared at this interior for hours.....super super cool









Just out of curiosity, does anyone know who manufactured those wheels or are they one offs??

[HK1837]

I think there was more than one Mambo Sandman concept. Ben Stewart told me he drove both a van and a ute around the track at the Brisbane performance driving centre track.

[thatotherguy]

there was a mambo ute and a matching mambo ski boat

[Alien DNA]

there was a mambo ute and a matching mambo ski boat

Ive never heard of the Mambo ute and Ski Boat.....are you confusing it with the HRT Maloo ute and boat?





--- Updated ---

What does everyone make of this Brochure, that does not think they are Sandmans?

Like HK1837 says...the vehicles tags say its a ute....sadly nothing can change that!!