HOLDEN HQ-HZ STATESMAN

HOLDEN NEEDED TO COUNTER WITH SOMETHING PRETTY SPECIAL IT WAS HANDSOME IN THE MOULD OF A MINI CADILLAC

With its big Chevrolets and Pontiacs gone and Ford’s Fairlane ruling the market for local prestige models, Holden needed to counter with something pretty special. The Statesman was announced along with the rest of the HQ range in July 1971. It was handsome in the mould of a ‘mini-Cadillac’, with lots of interior space and a big boot. Fleet buyers could order the base model with six cylinders and a bench front seat but most preferred the De Ville with five litres of V8, power steering and Trimatic transmission.

Despite looking nothing like a basic HQ, the Statesman shared many components with the rest of the range. Clever styling tricks including quasi-fins, a slotted rear bumper and split grille gave the illusion of a completely separate model.

De Villes were exclusively V8s with an auto ‘box. Most used the Holden-made 5.0-litre engine but some came with 5.7-litre Chevrolet motors.

After three years and around 18,000 sales, the HQ Statesman was replaced by an HJ version. Physical changes were limited to a single-section grille and reshaped rear mudguards to accommodate wrap-around tail-lights. The low-cost Custom hadn’t sold well and its spot was taken by a lavish Caprice version.

With leather trim, more than a dozen interior lights, integrated air-conditioning and special badging, the Caprice offered plenty to attract private and business buyers.

Less appealing was the HX that came in 1976 and was the first Statesman to suffer from Holden’s botched attempts at meeting new emission standards. Output from the 5.0-litre engine slipped 18kW to 161kW accompanied by a noticeable decline in performance.

Improvements included a reshaped (round) steering wheel and multi-function stalk that finally brought Holden’s cabin controls into the 1970s.

A further advance came in 1977 when GM-H introduced Radial Tuned Suspension. In addition to brilliant handling for a car of its size, the HZ Statesman also stopped better than most thanks to the addition of rear wheel disc brakes.

With the introduction of the Commodore SL/E imminent, 1978 saw the HZ Statesman range expanded to include an SL/E version. These sat between the De Ville and Caprice and offered no extra performance. What did get included was a timber-effect dash, climate-control air-conditioning, alloy wheels and distinctive grille. Deletion of the vinyl roof may have helped survival rates.

MARKET REVIEW

HQ-HZ models in excellent and authentic condition are now difficult to find and relatively expensive.

Plenty have been modified with swaps to 5.7 litre Chevrolet motors or even big-block ‘454’ V8s. Bigger wheels, uprated transmissions and fancy paint go with that territory as well but only trophy-winning show cars will be worth more than an outstanding original.

The majority in the market suffer various degrees of neglect and need to be priced accordingly. De Villes with faded metallic paint, heat-stressed vinyl tops (often with rust bubbles beneath) and tired chrome begin at less than $6000. Caprice versions in similar condition can make $2000 more.

A while back there was a push on to enhance demand for SL/ Es but to little avail. They still typically cost less than a Caprice of similar age and quality. Cars with an LPG tank aren’t as popular as once they were however if you are going to drive 10,000km a year the saving on fuel could justify the bit extra for an LPG car.

Rarest of these cars are genuine 350-engined HQs. Around 600 were built and it’s likely that less than half that number remain. Recent sales have seen a good, documented car reach $60,000 and likely to climb higher.