1982 Holden WB Sandman Tribute – Today’s Tempter

By: Alex Affat, Unique Cars magazine

Date: 20.03.2019

Completely restored four years ago, all new components in this turn-key package

Prior to Holden’s HQ, utes and panel vans were strictly workhorses that lived hard lives on the tools; with owners traditionally treating them with little care, and certainly no sympathy in regards to preservation.

Holden in the 70s successfully identified a younger generation that would treasure these dressed up commercial vehicles as recreational chariots.

Holden spearheaded the movement, and the youth took them up in droves. Soon thereafter, stylish wheels, loud paint and GTS bits aplenty that came to typify these popular weekend wagons.

Genuine Sandmans remain hot items in the collector sphere, with genuine examples in the highest of demand. Over time however, there were many mockups and ‘tributes’ for people who wanted to build their own.

This Sandman tribute originally started life off as a 1982 WB Panel Van.

The car has undergone an extensive ground up restoration around four and a half years ago.

The body was rust free when the 2 pac white paint was laid down, and everything on the van is reportedly brand new.

Under the bonnet sits a 253 V8 that’s been hotted up with a big cam, while a new radiator  and twin AU thermos fans keep it cool. The car also bears a new exhaust, trans cooler and a rebuilt diff putting power to the ground via a shift-kitted Trimatic box.

GTS wheels, grille, steering wheel and dash adorn the car, along with new rubber all around. New disc brakes, brake lines, master cylinder and booster should bring ample stopping power.

Inside the cabin, the interior has been completely retrimmed in black crushed velvet out back (with a very 70s custom archway built in), with new leather door cards up front.

While it’s not an original and genuine Sandman, it’s a comprehensive build that’s got all the bases covered.

If you’re after a panel van to enjoy, there’s nothing left to do with this van except just that!

The car is based in Queensland and is listed for $44,000.

You can check out the full listing here!

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