By EWAN KENNEDY
7 April 1997

The Holden Statesman and Statesman Caprice are the biggest and (in their day) the most expensive Holdens ever built. Based on the standard Holden family sedans but with an extended wheelbase to give more legroom in the rear seat, they still provide a modicum of prestige to this day.

Though the Statesman and Caprice are getting on in years, even the youngest is now 12 years old, they were over engineered and have a rugged build that sees many of them last for 300,000 kilometres or more. Additionally, many began their lives as government or executive fleet vehicles and spent their first few years in a pampered environment. That meant being serviced strictly by the book and cared for by a chauffeur.

On the negative side, these are big, thirsty V8 cars that can be awkward to drive and park in inner city areas. In the bush, which tends to be their natural environment as they get older, they are in their element.

Despite being large cars the volume of the boot is surprisingly small. That’s due to the sloping rear tail design that was all the rage in the early 1970s. Later models, 1980 onwards, had a body revamp and are slightly better.

Spare parts are becoming scarce at dealerships, but there are plenty of aftermarket specialists and recyclers to help keep old Holdens on the road. The cars are ridiculously easy to work on due to their simple layout and seemingly acres of underbonnet space. Keep in mind these cars carry a higher level of equipment than other Holdens so there is more to go wrong.

Insurance premiums are generally low, though not quite at the rock bottom levels of standard Holdens.

Statesman is the standard long wheelbase model, Caprice is the same car with a lot of extras installed. Between them they launched a number of firsts for Holden, including cruise control and anti-lock brakes.

All engines in both models are V8s and all use a three-speed automatic transmission. The package provides easy going performance with plenty of torque at all engine speeds, though the engine is reluctant to rev high and is slightly harsh if you do push it towards the red-end of the dial.

The early models, 1971 to 1980, followed the equivalent Holden model series - HQ, HJ, HX and HZ. In 1980, after the ‘Kingswood’ style Holdens were replaced by the Commodore, the Statesman got a major revamp and was named the WB Statesman, WB Series II from September 1983. The WB, and particularly the Series II, are the most highly regarded models.

Several models are offered, ranging up from the Statesman Custom, through the Statesman deVille to the Statesman Caprice - the latter generally referred to simply as the Caprice.

WHAT TO LOOK FOR

Old age is likely to be the biggest killer of these cars. Some will already have gone to the wreckers, others will have a surprising amount of life left in them. Quite a few will have been restored by enthusiasts, or even extensively modified as street machines. The latter two may be sold for considerably more than original cars, but be careful not to over capitalise on them.

Rust is likely to have got a hold on many cars. Look in the lower corners of the doors, the door sills, the lower-rear edges of the mudguards, the lower lip of the bootlid and the surrounds of the front and rear windscreens.

Also check for rust in the boot and cabin floors, it is always wise to ask permission before lifting carpets to check these areas.

Make sure the engine starts without too much churning on the starter and that it idles smoothly within a few seconds of starting up, even when it is cold.

Watch for smoke from the exhaust and from the oil filler cap. These big old engines are remarkably cheap to have overhauled so don't be put off by one that is on its last legs - provided the price of the car is low enough.

Automatic transmissions which are slow to go into gear from Park or Neutral, or which change up and down without good reason when the car is on a steady throttle, could be due for an overhaul.

Listen for a whining noise from the differential when the car is accelerated or decelerated at about 60 to 80 km/h (about 35 to 50mph).

Uneven tyre wear may indicate the shock absorbers, or even the suspension, is defective. It could also mean the car has been cornered very hard.

Look at the overall condition of the upholstery and at the top of the dashboard for cracking. Though these are not critical areas, they do give a good indication of the amount of care and attention the car has received over the years.

© Copyright Marque Publishing Company