New Holden Sandman Special Editions – Embracing the ’70s Surfing Lifestyle

By Steve Laser

We expect to see lots of unusual press releases come April 1st. At first glance we thought this one from our friends at GM Holden in Australia arrived a bit early. Yet this is the real deal. Holden is bringing back its customized surfing-inspired Sandman models for the Australian market – with a modern twist.

Sandman was originally launched on the HQ Holden in 1974 as a panel van and ute (pickup) in a bid to increase Holden’s presence in the expanding recreational market. Like the custom van craze in America, Sandman captured the imagination of a generation and continued to be offered on the HJ Holden (1974-’76), HX Holden shown above (1976-’77) and HZ Holden (1977).

After more than twenty years in the darkness, Sandman was finally revived as a concept car at the Sydney International Motor Show in 2000. Based on the VU Commodore and dressed with the wild paint scheme shown above, this Sandman was a Holden built, Mambo designed project.

Holden announced that its iconic Sandman will be reborn and relaunched on April 4 in Torquay, Victoria, in conjunction with the Rip Curl Pro Bells Beach surf competition. Holden says that to celebrate the launch, an “interactive surf live site at Elephant Walk Reserve in Torquay will feature a live screen beaming out classic surf reels, music, car display and beachside games.”

The 2015 Sandman Special Edition is derived from the Australian-market VF Commodore SV6 and the sporty SSV, and will be available as a ute and sleek Sportwagon. While the Sandman is much more advanced than its predecessor, it retains the surf livery and groovy, orange shagpile carpet as an additional accessory.

Originally launched in a time when cassette players were all the rage and Alvin Stardust topped the charts, the Sandman personifies Australian culture with its unique styling and adventurous attitude.

Popular with surfers and Bohemians alike, Sandman stays true to its roots with its first public display taking place on the sands of Torquay, giving beach goers and car lovers the chance to get up-close and reminisce about days gone by … and days to come.

Holden’s Director of Communications, Sean Poppitt said the interactive live site is the perfect platform for a car that is sure to evoke old memories and create new ones.

In addition to a choice of a 3.6-liter direct-injection V6 or 6.0-liter alloy V8 engine driving the rear wheels via a 6-speed manual (Ute only) or automatic transmission, the 2015 Holden Sandman Special Edition, a premium on SSV and SV6 models, includes:

SV6 and SSV Sportwagon