1978 Holden HZ Statesman – Today’s Tempter

By: Alex Affat, Unique Cars Magazine

Date: 12.10.2020

Family-owned for over 20 years: has had respray, new vinyl roof and new interior

The HZ series represents the penultimate iteration of the HQ platform, with the Statesman nameplate at the time positioned as a standalone marque with no mention of ‘Holden’. As GM-H’s flagship vehicle for the time, the Statesman offered increased comfort, interior room and luxury over the mainstream Holden range.

Engine options consisted of the 3.3lt inline-six and 4.2 and 5.0lt V8s; while trim levels also took a three-pronged approach with the standard DeVille, mid-spec SL/E launched in 1979, and the top-spec Caprice.

The HZ superseded the previous HZ in 1977 and received a minor visual facelift externally, although the big developments arguably came beneath the skin. Disc brakes were now found at all four corners, while the transformative ‘Radial Tuned Suspension’ was also adopted along with the rest of the Holden range.

This 1978 Statesman presents in standard DeVille trim fitted with the 5.0lt (308ci) V8. It comes from long-term family ownership of over 20 years, and allegedly is three owners from new.

The seller states that the car has had a respray and a new vinyl roof fitted, along with new interior trim plus headliner, and a fully re-conditioned Rochester Quadrajet carburettor.

Said to be a regretful sale, the HZ Statesman is said to ‘run like a dream’ and makes for a beautiful armchair traveller. It looks well-kept and loved, and may make for a handsome and confident cruiser for the whole family.

The HZ Statesman is based in New South Wales and is listed for $32,500.

Check out the full listing here!

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