Holden’s all-Australian WB Statesman arrived in 1980 as a standalone luxury model, intended to take the full-sized fight to Ford and its dominant Fairlane and LTD in the premium-car market.
The WB Statesman was largely underpinned by the HZ, but gained a subtle and fresh redesign with no scope for much else due to internal cost minimisation.
Two trim levels were available: The de Ville being the mainstream offering, and the Caprice taking the up-spec position.
This 1984 example is very representative of many of its kind: Specified with a 308ci V8 and T-bar auto, and loaded
with luxuries such as power steering, air-conditioning
and power windows.
The big Statesman is finished in a rarer exterior hue of Spindrift with matching light-blue cloth trim that represents as new, complete with a working clock and the original radio. This WB would be the perfect weekend cruiser.
Currently fitted with 16-inch V5 Simmons wheels, the WB almost reflects Aussie car culture at its best, and could easily be transformed to its original delivered state with a set of original alloys, best of all the WB’s engine bay presents spectacularly.
If you’re looking for piece of bygone Australian-made luxury at an affordable price, give the team at Prestige Motor Gallery a call on (02) 9546 5400 or visit the showroom at 334 Princess Highway, Carss Park, NSW 2221.
Vital stats
1984 HOLDEN WB STATESMAN dE VILLE SERIES 2
BODY: Four-door steel-monocoque sedan
KERB WEIGHT: 1719 kg
ENGINE: 5044cc (307.8ci) pushrod OHV V8
TRANSMISSION: 3-speed floor-shift auto
SUSPENSION: Ind – short and long arms, coil springs, decoupled stabiliser bar (f); Four-link system with coil springs and decoupled stabliser bar (r)
BRAKES: Power assisted ventilated discs (f); Power assisted solid discs (r)
POWER: 126kW at 4400rpm
TORQUE: 361Nm at 2800rpm