HQ Splash and Chicken

[HK1837]

It isn't the original format Devan, not in that form anyway. Here is a photo of the De-van at we think the Adelaide Hot Rod show in 1972, it was probably built around the same time as the Ewe't. The De-van had the same wheels and tyres on it, but not comprehensive proof as this was common practice. Those wheels on the Ewe't in the background of the motor show photo were fitted to the SS prototype and the 350Z at some stage but left GMH on the Ewe't. It is very possible the Devan was re-coloured and had the chicken decal added to it later. Exhaust looks right, as do the chrome tail-light surrounds and aerial but we can't see in that photo if it has the big opening sunroof or not. If that car at the 1973 Melbourne motor show with the boards on the roof is the same car (with different wheels) then it isn't the Devan as there is no sunroof in it and it isn't decked out in the back.

EDIT - I just watched the video again from the Sydney 1973? Motor show. That IS the De-van with the chicken stripes on it! Awesome info. I have a photo taken from the rear in the form as in the photo below which I added, and the rear deckout is the same and it has the sunroof in it. Therefore the car shown with the Ewe't is a different car.

103274-08.jpg103274-06.jpg

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Here's a scan from "Modern Motor" May 1973 from their '73 Melbourne Motor Show report:

MMS73.jpg

Are you certain this is the 1973 Melbourne motor show? Just helps to nail down some dates! They must have built this Chicken van as the De-van must have not been ready for the Melbourne 1973 show (Feb-Mar) as it was being resprayed and having the chicken logo put on. De-van was dispayed late in 1972 in its original format, so that makes sense.

I just found my notes from when I talked to Leo last year, he said the splash and chicken logos were around the design dept when he first arrived in 1968-1969.