Billed as a homage to the original Sandman that was introduced in 1974, the 21st century model is available as a station wagon called Sportwagon and as an El Camino-esque pickup dubbed simply Ute. Both models gain 20-inch gloss black alloy wheels, black fender vents, a blacked-out radiator grille and model-specific Sandman decals all around. Buyers can choose between Heron White, Nitrate Silver and Phantom Black.
The interior features Sandman-specific floor mats, new dashboard stitching and a rear sunshade. More importantly, buyers who regularly use the word “groovy” can order orange sheep skin inserts and an orange shag pile cargo rug.
Holden has not made any mechanical modifications. The Commodore SV6 is powered by a 3.6-liter V6 engine that sends 281 horspower and 258 lb-ft. of torque to the rear wheels via a six-speed manual transmission. The more expensive SSV model packs a 6.0-liter V8 that has been tuned to churn out 362 horsepower at 5,600 rpm and 390 lb-ft. of twist at 4,400 rpm. The naturally-aspirated eight-cylinder spins the rear wheels via a manual transmission, a final throwback to the Nixon era.
Set to go on sale across Australia next June, the package will add $2,950 AUD to the price of a Commodore, a sum that converts to roughly $2,280. Holden has not announced how many examples it will build.
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