The Holden HQ Statesman, produced between July 1971 and October 1974, was a long-wheelbase luxury sedan designed to compete with the Ford Fairlane. It was initially offered in two trim levels: the basic Statesman Custom and the upmarket Statesman de Ville.

Engine Type Power (kW) Torque (Nm) Notes 202 (3.3L) In-line 6 101 kW 263 Nm Standard on Custom 253 (4.2L) V8 138 kW 355 Nm Optional 308 (5.0L) V8 179 kW 427 Nm Standard on de Ville 350 (5.7L) Chevrolet V8 205 kW 488 Nm Rare “RPO L30” option

Mechanical Specifications
  • Transmission:
    • Custom: 3-speed manual (column-shift), 4-speed manual (floor-shift), or 3-speed “Tri-Matic” automatic.
    • de Ville: Standard 3-speed “Tri-Matic” or Turbo-Hydramatic 400 for the 350 V8.
  • Suspension: Independent front with wishbones and coil springs; live axle rear with coil springs and locating arms.
  • Brakes: Power-assisted front discs and rear drums.
  • Steering: Variable-ratio power steering was standard on the de Ville.
Dimensions & Weight

The Statesman used a 114-inch wheelbase shared with the HQ station wagon, providing significantly more rear legroom than standard HQ sedans.

  • Wheelbase: 2,900 mm (114 in).
  • Overall Length: 5,029 mm.
  • Width: 1,880 mm.
  • Height: 1,379 mm.
  • Kerb Weight: Approx. 1,474 kg (Custom V8) to 1,642 kg (de Ville).
  • Fuel Tank: 73 litres.
Key Luxury Features
  • Exterior: Unique front grille, Cadillac-inspired badging, and abundant chrome trim. A vinyl roof was a common standard feature or option.
  • Interior: Patterned-insert seats, electric windows, fake timber dash embellishments, and “fluffy” carpets. Air conditioning was a popular option but not standard on all models.