Got this article the other day because i found it interesting. A dealer optioned HQ 308 van with GTS bonnet decals, grille badge and what looks to be some sort of HQ El Camino side decals.
Have a read of the article..enjoy. Taken from Sports Car World, Feb 1974.....right around the HQ Sandman time
Still think the vans should have got the 350ci as an engine option though....what a shame
awesome! where can I buy one!! that sunroof is hectic!! haha
EVEN THE YOUNG GIRLS LOVE SANDMANS!
That's awesome mate, thanks for sharing!
Nunc est bibendum...
Wow, re living the memories. Thank's for sharing.
"Proud To Be An Old Fart".
What you really meant to say was "those sunroofs are hectic".Originally Posted by 78 sin bin
Dr Terry
Same style of rag sardine tin roof used in Alley Cat.
Brings back a lot of memories...........
Vans.... This is the 2nd time round the block, 40 years later! talk about turning back the clock!
Would have been tested and write up done around Oct/Nov 73 so they probably would not have known Sandman was due to be released.Taken from Sports Car World, Feb 1974.....right around the HQ Sandman time
Goes to show how popular vans were at the time, same price as a GTS 350 and they had a hard time getting hold of one for testing. $6100 was a hell of a lot of money for a base model car back in 73/74. Sunburst metallic paint also on a 73 Sydney built HQ Belmont van. Shows why it is hard to ID a HQ Sandman today.
4/75 HJ XX7 Sandman Panelvan ... Persian Sand currently restoring
7/76 HX Monaro 4dr 308 4sp... Absinth Yellow and rusty as hell.. SOLD
3/77 HX Sandman Panelvan ... Absinth Yellow and rusty as hell .. SOLD
Back to Alien's original Statement, there would never have been a 350 option on a W size commercial as there was none on the base vehicle. The idea was a "sports" optioned commercial, not a "performance" optioned commercial. So van-wise a blank canvas behind the seats for custom paint and decked out back and GTS from the seats forward. This is what Bagshaw got out of his round table discussions with vanners of the day. Sandman idea was for ute mainly (you see this reflected in Be-ute and the Ewe't), but the van interest was rapidly growing and obviously GMH (most likely Bagshaw himself) recognised this and acted. They also probably saw the sales figures for up-specced vans and utes too (4spd, buckets, sports instruments, rally or wide rims etc).
It is also surprising to see the evidence of dealers sitting a new LS350 or GTS350 side by side with a ute or van and doing a driveline swap. Very cool stuff.
Seeing as nobody else has made mention for forum searches. This is the same Ern Jones Van that has been mentioned in other threads.
"Keeping up with the (Ern) Jones'"
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