new Sandmans

**tex** · 08-06-2010, 04:24 PM

Just wondering if holden put any sandmans onto the market in the vx,vy,vu as you see all these sandmans for sale and when you get a picture it is of the new models so were they produced or not and if so what id tag marking have they got because i heard the prototypy was the only one built?Tex

**Blocker** · 08-06-2010, 04:30 PM

Hi Tex. This will be a short forum thread ;)

Holden stopped the Sandman at the HZ series.

There was a VY(?) ute produced that was modified outside of Holden with a nice paint job, canopy and pretty interior - yes it had Sandman painted on the back as well. But it was not designed, released or sold as a Sandman.

It's funny isn't it, that some people will argue that Holden never made a Sandman ute and the next bloke will argue that any panelvan by Holden is a Sandman. Hopefully this site will help educate people

**wbute** · 08-06-2010, 06:42 PM

The art work for that ute with a canopy was done by Reg Mombasa, ex Mental as Anything and was then doing the Mambo artwork. Correct me if I am wrong?

**ozbox** · 08-06-2010, 08:12 PM

Originally Posted by wbute

The art work for that ute with a canopy was done by Reg Mombasa, ex Mental as Anything and was then doing the Mambo artwork. Correct me if I am wrong?

your right....

**Shadowmax** · 09-06-2010, 07:54 AM

From the brochure ... "the Holden canopy conversion transforms your utility into a 'Sandman" ...

If Holden are happy to call them a Sandman then so am I.

**stickthis** · 09-06-2010, 08:12 AM

I have had a few phonecalls about these modified utes. People wanting custom stripes done. Same style as the HX/HZ one just different lengths. Wonder what they would look like......

**Blocker** · 09-06-2010, 08:29 AM

Shadowmax nice brochure.

I have a couple questions;

1. If I bought a VY ute and put a canopy on the back would it be a Sandman?

2. If I bought a HX ute off the showroom floor, put in bucket seats and changed the dash to a GTS dash - would it be a Sandman?

Are we too precious about being purists?

**HZSandman** · 09-06-2010, 08:47 AM

I notice the brochure keeps putting the word "sandman" in quotes and fefers to the ute as a "sandman style wagon". Not a Sandman as such but a Sandman style.

It also referes to the "sandman canopy". So the van is not a Sandman but te canopy is?:confused:

Basically it is a ute with a canopy. Not a Sandman but a ute with a canopy in the Sandman style.

I reckon they should have gone the whole hog. Holden should have got rid of the rear window behind the seats, called it a Sandman and stuck some decals or badging on it. I reckon it would have sold better and been more desirable if they had of done that.

Instead they have done a half arsed job of creating a "Sandman" style ute.

**Shadowmax** · 09-06-2010, 09:47 AM

I've heard the HBD vehicles had a HBD plate fitted, which would designate the cars delivered new with the canopy which are the cars referred to in the brochure, I'd suggest these as the brochure says were 'Sandmans' at the time of delivery ... maybe these cars with the HBD build plate will represent the 'genuine' cars and be more valueable down the track. I'm surprised Holden didn't offer a Sandman sticker kit for them, that was a real shame.

Its good to see some of them getting around the van scene and even though they are utes I welcome them. With the prices of old Sandmans I think I would rather one of these than an old one if I was buying now ... but I am not and besides I don't know whether I could actually bring myself to buy a Commodore ...

Originally Posted by Blocker

I have a couple questions;

1. If I bought a VY ute and put a canopy on the back would it be a Sandman?

2. If I bought a HX ute off the showroom floor, put in bucket seats and changed the dash to a GTS dash - would it be a Sandman?

Are we too precious about being purists?

1. Only if its got the HBD build plate ... lol
2. No, but if it was bucket seats & floor shift from the factory as long as it can't be proved to not be a sandman is enough.

The purists may not agree but I call them 'new Sandmans' ...

**mandarinhx** · 09-06-2010, 11:56 AM

Originally Posted by stickthis

I have had a few phonecalls about these modified utes. People wanting custom stripes done. Same style as the HX/HZ one just different lengths. Wonder what they would look like......

Not sure about the side stripes I don't think with the lines of the body they would work but have seen tailgate decals on these and they look pretty good, certainly doesn't look out of place.

That brochure certainly has plenty of references to them as a 'Sandman' but I don't care about the Sandman purists though I want one! Would look good in the shed next to the HX I reckon.

There was one on Ebay recently thats had the rear window removed so there is access into the back like a real panel van.