Holden started producing commercial variants of the FJ sedan in the early 1950s, and went on to produce panel vans, utes and one-tonners on and off over the decades, right up until the final VF ute in 2017.

It didn’t take long for pre-loved vans and utes to make their way in to the hands of young men eager to customise formerly mundane, utilitarian work vehicles. A uniquely Australian youth subculture grew up around vans and utes, centering as it did on freedom, lifestyle, artwork, surfing and hot rodding. Holden joined the fray with their now legendary Sandman series, first introduced with the HQ in the early 1970s and continuing through to the last Kingswoods - the HZ (though utes and panel vans continued in the WB series until the mid ‘80s). Ford followed suit with their Sundowner Falcon and Escort panel vans, as did Chrysler - briefly - with the late ‘70s Drifter Valiant panel van. All are extremely rare today, and therefore - highly valued, none more so than those with a Holden badge.