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.

News_Rich_Media: Television commercial for the original legendary Aussie panel van, the Sandman.

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.

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.

It follows recent editions including the ‘Collingwood Dore’ and the Craig Lowndes limited edition.

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.News_Image_File: Groovy baby ... shagpile seat covers optional. Photo: Supplied.

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.News_Image_File: Van wild ... Holden Sandman concept from the year 2000. Photo: Supplied.

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.News_Image_File: High times ... the Sandman canopy in 2003 cost $6150, plus fitting. Photo: Supplied

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. News_Image_File: Race pace ... V8Supercar tribute to Sandman at the 2014 Gold Coast 600. Photo: Supplied.

“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.News_Image_File: Wagon’s role ... about 250 new Holden Sandman editions will be made. Photo: Supplied.

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 forum, says the ute will be most popular with buyers.

“We’re disappointed there is no panelvan but Holden hasn’t made a panelvan for decades,” said Mr Hody.

“Most of the Sandman enthusiasts I’ve spoken to say they will go for the ute.”News_Image_File: Tray chic ... an original Holden Sandman ute. Photo: Supplied.

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. News_Image_File: Beach goer ... an original Holden Sandman. Photo: Supplied.

News_Image_File: Legendary ... the new Holden Sandman wagon. Photo: Supplied.

Enter Sandman: fast facts

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

News_Image_File: Beauty ... the new Holden Sandman ute. Photo: Supplied.

Holden SV6 and SSV ute

20-inch 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 (wagon)

Orange sheep skin seat inserts

This reporter is on Twitter: @JoshuaDowling