Holden Sandman
| Industry | Automotive |
|---|---|
| Founded | 1856 |
| Founder | James Alexander Holden |
| Headquarters | Port Melbourne, Victoria , Australia |
| Products | Automobiles, including the Sandman coupé utility |
The Holden Sandman is a sporty coupé utility that was manufactured between 1974 and 1980 by General Motors' Australian branch, Holden. During the 1970s, it earned the nickname "Shaggin' Wagons" due to its strong appeal among younger consumers. The Sandman stood out with its vivid paint schemes, unique striping, and prominent "SANDMAN" branding on the tailgate. It represented Holden's more performance-oriented take on the Panel Van and Utility models, drawing inspiration from the GTS editions of the Sedan and Monaro Coupé.
Inside, the Sandman was equipped with features borrowed from the GTS range, including a sports instrument cluster, specialized steering wheel, bucket seats, and a fully appointed cabin. On the outside, it showcased rally wheels, GTS-style guards, "Sandman" emblems placed on the B pillars for utes or comparable spots on panel vans, along with exclusive vinyl striping. The base engine was a 173 cubic inch "red" inline six-cylinder, though most customers preferred upgrading to either the 253 or 308 cubic inch Holden V8 powerplants. Transmission choices consisted of a standard 4-speed manual or a 3-speed 'Tri-Matic' automatic gearbox, both operated via a floor-mounted console shifter.
The Sandman competed against vehicles such as Ford Australia's XB Falcon Surferoo and Surfsider vans, as well as the subsequent Sundowner series; however, none matched the Sandman's influence in the market. Additionally, Valiant-Chrysler Australia introduced the CL Valiant Drifter, which also gained considerable recognition.
Collectors and fans frequently identify genuine Sandmans by their Production Order (PO) code "XX7".
Holden Commodore Sandman
In 2015, Holden brought back the Sandman badge with a special edition Commodore SportWagon and Ute that featured HX-HZ inspired striping, a bespoke "Sandman" dashpad, 20-inch Baretta alloy wheels, and sheepskin seat covers. Available in SV6 or SS V Redline variants, this revived Sandman was powered by either a Holden High-Feature LFX V6 engine or a Chevrolet LS3 small-block V8.