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Forty years ago, Holden released a car called the Sandman. It was a panel van: a van version of a ute - which is a car version of a pick-up truck - but, more than that, it was a one stop shop for surfers.
There was enough room to strap two surfboards to the roof, a big V8 up front, and, most importantly, "105 feet of party room in the back" (their words): that's enough to comfortably fit a mattress.
With its Swiss Army knife-style usability, the Sandman was literally sex on wheels to some surfers. It quickly became and Aussie icon and would command a raft of shaka salutes it time one would rock up shore side.
But for last weekend's V8 Supercars' Gold Coast 600, Red Bull Racing Australia engineered a one-off, 21st century re-imagining of the seventies Holden Sandman with the help of Triple Eight Race Engineering.
Where the original was based on a Holden Kingswood, the latest version uses Jamie Whincup's V8 Supercar chassis from the 2013 season.
Complete with a 705bhp 5.0-litre V8 race engine, six-speed electro-hydraulic paddleshift gearbox, F1-inspired fly by wire throttle control and racing brakes, it's quite a departure from the original.
But some original hallmarks are maintained. There are two 6ft carbon fibre surfboards on the roof and you can apparently still fit a mattress in the back. However, Sandman enthusiasts may not appreciate the new crippling race suspension, if ya know what we mean...
Finished in a monochrome livery with red accents, plus having that unruly V8 soundtrack, we think a racing modern day panel van is absolutely bloody bonzer. Now all we need to do is apply some corks to our racing helmets.
Written By:- Rowan Horncastle
More of this article on the Top gear website
