Splash and Superchicken were decal packages only, Ewe't was a marketing exercise only none of these were done as proof of concept for the Sandman, they were stand alone marketing/styling excercises. They proved that the interest was there and the Sandman was the result from this data and the fact that the surfer and van movements were in full swing, it was a parts bin modification package except for the stripes. The HQ Sandman was done in the same manner as the SS, which was not a pre runner to the GTS 4 but a stand alone styling exercise. The Old Man Emu was a Coupe not a Sedan and was also a one off styling exercise. The Sandman was probably only one of many ideas and concepts to come out of the styling and marketing groups within GMH at the time but like the SS it could be built with no risk or development by the factory and that is what got it off the ground.
Part of the hype at the time concerning the Old Man Emu was taking the words of the song and turning it against the Ford GTs, "She can't fly but I'm telling you, she can run the pants of a Superoo!"
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