Holden Sandman returns

Holden is going back in time to make sure the Commodore makes it to the end of the production line.

The Holden Sandman is back 40 years after it was introduced, minus the fluffy dice and heart-shaped windows — but with the shagpile carpet and brightly coloured stickers that made the original famous.

A CD player and music-streaming apps on a touch screen have replaced the cassette deck, and there are now six airbags rather than an arrangement of pillows. But for those yearning for a trip down memory lane, the new one is not available in its most recognisable form.

Instead of being released as a panelvan and ute as it was in the 1970s, the new Sandman is based on the latest Commodore wagon and ute.

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Holden is dipping into its back catalogue to stimulate sales of the Commodore in the lead-up to the end of local production in 2017. Each limited edition comes with Sandman stitching in the interior and stickers on the bodywork, while options include orange shagpile carpet seat covers and a fluffy rug for the wagon.

Holden toyed with the idea of a modern panelvan when it unveiled a concept ute with a canopy at the Sydney motor show in the year 2000.

Some of the artwork by Mambo creative director Dare Jennings had to be covered when the car was on display at the Detroit motor show the following year because a scantily-clad woman depicted in the painting was too revealing for US tastes.

A grass skirt was added to the woman on one side of the van, while the beach-bum on the other side received a flower lei.

Holden eventually released the panelvan canopy — without the lurid images — for the Holden ute in 2003 for $6150, but it was discontinued in 2006 after slow sales and the complexity of fitting them.

The modern Sandman will be unveiled in Torquay next weekend (Saturday April 4, 2015) to coincide with the Rip Curl Pro surfing competition at Bells Beach.

Holden said a panelvan version of the Sandman wasn't possible this time around because it would be too costly to develop at this point in the Commodore's life. "The reborn Sandman is a celebration of the Aussie way of life," says Holden spokesman Sean Poppitt.

"It's a niche vehicle, reflective of Australia's irreverent culture and therefore the cost involved in any potential panelvan program would not benefit our customers. "With [the ute and wagon] we have our Sandman customers covered."

The modern Sandman will be unveiled in Torquay next weekend (Saturday April 4, 2015) to coincide with the Rip Curl Pro surfing competition at Bells Beach.

The modern Sandman edition is available for an additional $2950 on the $40,000 Commodore SV6 and $50,000 V8-powered SS-V wagon and ute. Holden expects just 250 will be made across the both models.

Andrew Hody, who runs the mysandman.com.au forums, says the ute will be most popular with buyers.

"We're disappointed there is no panelvan but Holden hasn't made one for decades," said Mr Hody. "Most of the Sandman enthusiasts I've spoken to say they will go for the ute." The original Sandman was available as a panelvan and a ute between 1974 and 1979, and buyers had a choice of six-cylinder or V8 power.

Back in the day, they cost between $3500 and $5000 brand new. Today, immaculately restored examples of the Sandman and ute can fetch more than $35,000.

Holden SV6 and SSV wagon
20-inch gloss black wheels
Black fender vents
Black grille package
Black roof racks
Sandman decals
Sandman dashboard stitching
Sandman sunshades
Sandman floor mats
Unique Sandman build plate
 

SV6 and SSV Ute
20" gloss black wheels
Black fender vents
Black grille package
Black sports bar
Sandman decals
Sandman dashboard stitching
Sandman rear sunshade
Sandman foot mats
 

Optional Accessories
Orange rear shag pile cargo rug (sportwagon)
Orange sheep skin seat inserts