Peter Brock supporters have questioned a decision by Holden to revive the controversial Director version of the Commodore – the same nameplate which ultimately forced a split between the famous racer and the car maker.

Wheels magazine reports the Director badge will be revived from later this year, with Holden building "a few hundred" vehicles that borrow standard performance features found on the SS-V Redline sedan along with luxury appointments seen on the Calais V. The special edition, to be priced between $60,000 and $70,000, marks the first use of the infamous Director badging since the Brock-owned VK and VL Holden Dealer Team Directors of the 1980s, the last of which led to the acrimonious split between Brock and the manufacturer.

While Holden has declined to comment, the magazine claims the swansong Director will debut a version of HSV's Magnetic Ride Control – a first in a Holden – adjusting the vehicle's dampers for different kinds of driving. But unlike original Directors, it will only be available with an automatic transmission.

Speaking on the condition of anonymity, several Brock supporters criticised the move, accusing Holden of profiteering from the same nameplate which ended its partnership with Brock.

The original Director (pictured) was sold in both the VK and VL Series and was available with myriad options. Photo: Mark Short.

"It's a bit of a kick in the guts," said one Brock supporter and current owner of a VK Director.

"The split came because of the Director and now Holden wants to use the name? I'm really not sure about it.

"It will probably sell well, as there's a bit of a space at present between a regular Calais and a HSV Senator, which doesn't leave much change from $90,000. But the original Director was custom-fitted with whatever the owner wanted, and this one isn't even available with a manual gearbox."

Another supporter said Holden would have been better off reviving Brock's less controversial HDT nameplates, which included the Sandown Wagon, Nitron, Bathurst Aero, Sport and Mt Panorama.

"While I think it's good that Holden is continuing Brock's legacy – the first thing most people think of when they hear Director is Peter Brock – it is also disappointing that Holden is cashing in on that name plate in particular," the source said.

The new Director will borrow elements of the SS-V Redline along with the Calais V. Photo: Supplied.

"It's ironic that Holden chose to use this nameplate out of all the others available. Next thing, they'll option a polariser for extra cash."

Drive has learned that Holden owned the naming rights to the Director even when Brock's HDT division built VK and VL editions. The car maker even rejected moves by third parties to purchase the trademark back in 2007.

Despite the split, Brock eventually resumed his association with Holden in 1994 before being killed in a racing accident in 2006.

A long-time associate of Brock told Drive the nine-time Bathurst winner "would be chuffed" with the nameplate being revived, despite the circumstances behind it.

"It's a bit of surprise especially when they are using the Director nameplate in particular," the source said.

"But personally, anything that keeps Peter's memory alive and continues his legacy is a good thing. If Brock was still around, he would be chuffed to see that."

The revived Director is expected to be the first of a wave of new limited-edition Commodores unveiled ahead of Holden's local manufacturing closure at the end of 2017.

The original Director (pictured) was sold in both the VK and VL Series and was available with myriad options. Photo: Mark Short.