THE STORY By the late 1970s, Holden’s Sandman had already earned cult status among young Australians as the ultimate lifestyle machine. Built on the HJ and HX series before moving into the HZ range, the Sandman combined the practicality of a panel van or ute with sporty touches borrowed from the Monaro.
The HZ series, introduced in 1977, brought with it Holden’s 'Radial Tuned Suspension' (RTS), which dramatically improved handling and gave the vans more confidence on winding coastal roads. The Sandman package itself added bold graphics, sports instrumentation, bucket seats, GTS wheels, and steering wheel — features that transformed the humble work van into a symbol of freedom and adventure. Under the bonnet, buyers could choose from reliable six-cylinder engines or the grunty 4.2-litre and 5.0-litre V8s, paired with either a manual or automatic transmission.
By 1978, the Holden Sandman was already cemented as a legend. Today, well-done tribute vans carry on that legacy, offering enthusiasts the chance to relive the golden era of Aussie motoring, when panel vans weren’t just cars, they were a way of life.
THE CAR Finished in bright and sunny Jasmine Yellow with a soft beige and brown interior, this 1978 Holden HZ Panel Van has been decked out as a Sandman tribute vehicle.
Under the hood this car boasts a Holden 308ci V8 engine that has been stroked out to 355ci, coupled to an automatic transmission with a B&M Quicksilver Shifter. The engine is very powerful and sounds beefy thanks to the twin exhaust system.
This car has a disc brake front end, power steering, power windows and standard Radial Tuned Suspension. The rear hatch has been fitted with gas struts to help hold the door open.
Inside, the interior is in good condition with near-new carpet and re-trimmed upholstery and rear cargo area. The car has been fitted with a GTS dash and steering wheel and the side windows have been blocked out with the interior trim. A Sony Bluetooth sound system has also been installed.
This car has air-conditioning but the compressor is missing.
The plates on the vehicle decode as follows:
VIN: 8N70THL416079Z
8 = GM Holden Australia
N = Kingswood
70 = Panel Van
T = 308 ci engine
H = 1978 Model Year
L4 = Built in Elizabeth, Adelaide
16079 = Serial Number
Z = HZ
Data Plate:
Model: HZ8W N 70 = Kingswood Panel Van
Body No.: 416079-A
Trim: 1927-67V = Tan Vinyl Trim
Paint: 568-30518 = Jasmine Yellow
Eng: L31 = 308ci
Trans: M41 = Turbo 400
RR Axle: GV4 = 3.36 ratio
A tribute build like this one captures that unique mix of utility and attitude, and it pays homage to the lifestyle the Sandman embodied: surfboards in the back, windows down and the open road ahead. More than just transport, the Sandman became part of the Australian identity - a rolling expression of leisure and independence.
While genuine Sandmans are now rare, tribute builds like this 1978 Holden HZ Sandman Tribute Panel Van keep the spirit alive, celebrating an icon of Australian car culture.
