Hq sandman panel vans & Utes - how many?

[Big Rob]

I have a inkling that the HQ Sandman was to be a limited build initially, much like the VSIII SS ute. So GMH built a quantity for sale early on in 1974. I think this is where the numbers that get thrown up from time to time come from i.e. this quantity was a distinct number like 100 or 200 or whatever. After they sold quickly then you could order them and more were built for stock order.

That's what I remember too. My Dad's best mate was the fleet manager at Suttons Chullora and he used to tell us all the news and gossip about things that were happening at Holden.
The HQ Sandman idea was originally just a "toe in the water" to see if anyone was interested in a hotted up van or ute. That's why they were Belmont vans (all you could get), or Kingswood or Belmont utes (again, all you could get). The sandman option was just that, an option pack available on vans or utes. When they sold well, the green light was given for the HJ to be a serious model and the rest is history.

You never saw many HQ Sandmans back in the 70's because most people customised them and the Sandman visual evidence was lost. Same thing with the later models, the Sandman was just a good base for a custom van for a lot of people, that's why a lot had no stripes.... most people wanted murals.

[HK1837]

That's what I remember too. My Dad's best mate was the fleet manager at Suttons Chullora and he used to tell us all the news and gossip about things that were happening at Holden.
The HQ Sandman idea was originally just a "toe in the water" to see if anyone was interested in a hotted up van or ute. That's why they were Belmont vans (all you could get), or Kingswood or Belmont utes (again, all you could get). The sandman option was just that, an option pack available on vans or utes. When they sold well, the green light was given for the HJ to be a serious model and the rest is history.

You never saw many HQ Sandmans back in the 70's because most people customised them and the Sandman visual evidence was lost. Same thing with the later models, the Sandman was just a good base for a custom van for a lot of people, that's why a lot had no stripes.... most people wanted murals.

That's correct, GMH had to add the DL7 option later in HX as too many people not wanting stripes. I know a few people who bought Ambulance packs rather than Sandmans for this reason.