Holden Sandman - Today's Surfie Tempter

By: Guy Allen, Unique Cars magazine

Date: 13.11.2019

1974 Holden Sandman

1974 Holden Sandman

Restored HQ

It's a long time ago now, but there was a period through the seventies when all the big three local makers - Holden, Ford and Chrysler - would cheerfully sell you a pimped-out panel van as their version of the ultimate surf-mobile.

Know respectively as the Sandman, Sundowner and Drifter, they had a brief but spectacular fling in the market. There were even mini versions, based on smaller platforms such as the Gemini and Escort.

All too often these colourful toys ended up in the used market and serving as trade vans before eventually being left under a tree or hauled off to the tip.

However a resurgence in interest over the last decade or so has seen a fair number revived and restored, or replicas built from more humble commercial models.

The seller of this 1974 HQ Sandman says it has undergone an extensive restoration.

Under the hood, the powerplant is the 253ci (4.2lt) V8 with some upgrades, matched to an M20 four-speed manual transmission.

The price being asked is up there at $139,990.

Sandman feature

Sandman ute feature

Ford Sundowner feature

Ford Escort Sundowner feature

Unique Cars magazine Value Guides

Sell your car for free right here