Holden HQ Sandman
Reviewed by Unique Cars and Parts
Our Rating: 4
Introduction
After the release of the Series II HQ Monaro, Holden
took a serious view to making a truly sporty recreational
vehicle after the 'sun and surf' youth culture of Australia
was starting to take hold. In January '74 the first model
Holden Sandman rolled off the line.
Available in both panelvan and ute form they were till
fill the void that was in the marketplace.
The HQ Sandman
came equipped with distinctive GTS style slotted front
guards, GTS Rally wheels, bucket seats, GTS
steering wheel,
full instrumentation, Sandman decals and stripes.
An extremely
soft
suspension was one dissapointing factor to the introduction
of the HQ Sandman range.
The introduction of the HQ GTS/4 and the Sandman Panelvan
heralded the start of the extinction process for the Monaro
Coupe, as the Sandman quickly became the two door of choice
for the young Australian male (for obvious reasons it
was a winner).
The HQ was to last only 9 months (an appropriate time frame
for the Sandman?), and as a consequence an original HQ
Sandman Van is extremely hard to find.
"The suspension has been softened to the point where it only makes
a superficial attempt at being 'sporty' ....the sport
is best confined to the mattress in the rear compartment
rather than on the road" - Wheels, 1974.
