Statesman (automobile)

Statesman
Statesman Caprice (WB)
Overview
ManufacturerHolden
Also calledChevrolet Constantia
Chevrolet de Ville
Chevrolet Caprice Classic
Chevrolet 350[1]
Isuzu Statesman de Ville
Production1971–1985
DesignerLeo Pruneau
Body and chassis
ClassFull-size luxury car
Body style4-door sedan
PlatformHolden HQ
RelatedHolden Kingswood
Powertrain
Engine202 cu in (3.3 L) I6
253 cu in (4.2L) V8
308 cu in (5.0 L) V8
350 cu in (5.7 L) V8
Chronology
PredecessorHolden Brougham
SuccessorHolden Statesman / Caprice

Statesman is an automotive marque created in 1971 by the Australian General Motors subsidiary, Holden.[2] Statesman vehicles were sold through Holden dealerships, and were initially based on the mainstream Holden HQ station wagon platform, thereby providing more interior room and generally more luxurious features than their Holden-branded sedan siblings. Production ceased with the last of the WB series cars in January 1985.

GM Holden reintroduced the range in 1990 with two long-wheelbase sedans; however, the cars were no longer marketed as Statesman by brand name, but instead as the Holden Statesman and the Holden Caprice. In September 2010 with the "Series II" updating of the WM series, use of the long-serving Statesman name was discontinued. From 2011 to 2015 Holden's long wheelbase contenders were branded as the Holden Caprice and Holden Caprice V. From the 2016 model year, the Caprice was discontinued leaving the Caprice V as the last remaining Australian build long-wheelbase sedan. The Caprice V was discontinued in October 2017 as Holden closed down its Australian manufacturing operations.

  1. ^ Tony Davis, 1971 GM-H Statesman, Aussie Cars, 1987, page 121
  2. ^ Luck, Rob (September 1971). "Bold New Breed". Modern Motor. Modern Magazines (Holdings): 62.