I also got into cars in the late 90s in adelaide as well. The panel van was very much a tradie or a surfy car. I think this is why I still think it's a tradie van when it's white.

Back then van's weren't that cool tho, everyone wanted a ute. In a dark colour, with a twin headlight front, race buckets, gts guards, stateman interior and a v8.

Since I was getting my car loan through a very helpful dad he was having none of this van or ute buisness. So I ended up with a rust free but very ugly brown wagon which I loved.