Aussie Panel Van: Holden 1974 HJ Sandman by Classic Carlectables

Doogie’s rendition of the diecast HJ Sandman Panel Van

Welcome to the second episode of my Aussie Panel Van series. This time, we are looking at the Classic Carlectables 1/43 scale model of the 1974 Holden Hj Sandman panel van in Mandarin Red colour.  This edition is the V8 version with the GTS guards. Below, I have a picture showing the different grille and front changes that Holden made in the transition from the HQ version to the HJ version. See my first instalment of Aussie Panel Vans for more information here: HQ Sandman Panel Van

The HJ & HQ Classic Carlectables Holden Sandman Panel Vans side by side

As I suggested in my initial HQ Panel Van post, you will enjoy the idea of this model a whole lot more if you search the internet for images. I love these models but the real thing is obviously far more impressive. Here is a link to an auction of a Mandarin Red HJ Sandman Van, identical to the one we are looking at, which includes some good pictures here: HJ Sandman Auction

Classic Carlectables HJ Holden Sandman Panel Van in Mandarin Red

This from the site accessed from the link provided above: “If any Australian vehicle symbolised the sensational Seventies, it was Holden’s Sandman, a sporting package available to customers of the commercial range of utes and panel vans from 1974 until 1980. The Sandman will forever be associated with the thriving surf culture of the day and has since become an Aussie icon. The Sandman offered here was based on the HJ series Holden, an update of the HQ model introduced in October 1974, with improved equipment levels, more options and revised sheetmetal. The Sandman package consisted of bold graphics plus a host of features designed to appeal to a younger crowd, including the sports instrumentation, sports steering wheel, bucket seats and Rally road wheels sourced from the Monaro. Options included automatic transmission, power steering and air conditioning and, as a marketing tool, the Sandman proved immensely successful for GM-H, pushing the final cost of many a panel van or ute well above the basic list price. For additional grunt, the Sandman could be ordered with a V8 (in either 4.2 or 5.0-litre guise) and equipped with a limited-slip diff. Holden’s panel vans proved remarkably popular with customisers, who came up with some amazing paint jobs, body modifications and fully decked-out interiors, but these days finding an original, unmolested Sandman is the dream of many enthusiasts and values have soared in recent years.”

The rear of the HJ Sandman Van complete with Doogies Diecast bumper sticker. How did they make them so small?

The HJ Sandman Van front

 

The underside of the Classic Carlectables HJ Sandman Van showing the spare and exhaust etc

I hope you have enjoyed this installment of Aussie Panel Vans. Look for more to come in the future where we will feature offerings from Both Ford and Chrysler, as well as more Sandmans. Please leave a comment and thanks for visiting my diecast spot on the WWW. Doogie.

 

Holden Sandman HJ Panel Van

 

 

 

Valiant 1962 R & S Series 1/43 Scale Diecast by Trax

The R & S Series Valiants showing the different front on each model.

Welcome back. In this post we will take a look at two models by Trax, and discuss briefly the real life cars that they are based upon. We will be looking the 1962 R and S Series Valiant 1/43 die-cast scale models issued by Trax.

When the real life 1962 R Valiant was launched in Australia, Holden held about 50% of the market. Two things We Aussies can lament at that statement; 1. The last Valiant was produced here in 1981 2. Holden now holds nowhere near 50% of the Aussie market. Anyway, obviously Chrysler wanted a slice of the pie so to speak so they released the R Valiant onto the Aussie market. It was an instant hit with its modern good looks (my old man called them “a panelbeaters nightmare”) and more powerful engines than the Holden of Ford offering. The initial run of 1008 were soon sold.

The 1962 R Series Valiant by Trax

All of the R and S Valiants were fitted with the 225ci slant 6 engine, which put out a healthy 108KW (The comparible Holden made 55 and the Ford 67), and could propel the Valiant up to about the magic ton; 100MPH. They came with dual headlights and the automatic option was a push button 3 speed. Easy to see why they sold so fast.

The rear of the R series showing the fake spare moulding on the boot.

Apparently the fake spare wheel moulding on the boot was not to Aussies taste and was dropped when the next model was released. That and the tail lights mounted on the fins gave the car a classy yet sporty look and in my opinion, a very ‘American’ look.

The egg crate style grill on the front of the R Series Valiant

The R series Valiant was on sale in Australia from January to March 1962 and since they only had 1008 examples to sell, Chrysler were soon looking for another product to sell. Enter the 1962 S series

1962 S Series Valiant

There wasnt a lot of difference mechanically speaking between the R and S series Valiant. However, externally there were some changes, amazing since they were both introduced within months of each other. The S series featured a new grille, the removal of the fake spare tyre moulding, which was replaced by a circular badge, and the tail lights were changed to round lights set below the fins.

The rear of the Valiant S Series showing the new tail lights and rear circular badge in place of the fake moulding

An S series I spotted a couple of months ago.

A shot of the rear of both the R and S Valiants highlighting the differences between the two.

The S series Valiant sold out quickly with over 10,000 examples finding their way into Aussie homes and business. These early Valiants changed the game in the Aussie car market. Their impact cannot be understated as they soon let both Ford and Holden there was a new challenger in the race.

1962 R & S Valiants